POLICE have appealed for information following an incident in which a driver was believed to have been taken ill at the wheel of his car.

Officers were called to Railway Street, Braintree at 11.51am on Tuesday October 23 after reports that a red Skoda car had been involved in a collision with a van.

The driver and passenger in the van gave immediate first aid to the driver of the car after he was found collapsed and unconscious in the vehicle.

A passing ambulance service first responder and a local fireman also helped to give the driver cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

The driver, who is in his 70s and from the Braintree area, was taken by paramedics to Broomfield Hospital where his condition was said to be critical.

Investigating officer Pc Will Batchelor said: “Police, the ambulance service and staff at the hospital want to thank all those involved in giving the driver prompt assistance and CPR.

“The driver and passenger of the van left the scene without leaving their details but we would like them to come forward because they are important witnesses. They were in a small white van, similar to a Citroen Berlingo.”

Any witnesses who saw what happened should contact Pc Batchelor at Dunmow police station on 101.