Emergency 999 call handlers faced a number of calls for traffic updates after a fatal accident in Chelmsford this week.

Essex Police have heavily criticised the callers, who also made calls to emergency numbers to enquire about tailbacks following the death of 57-year-old Roy Linton from Chelmsford, who sadly passed away after a collision with a lorry on the A12.

Both carriageways of the A12 were closed after the incident shortly before 3pm on Monday July 23, which led to frustrated motorists making calls to the emergency services for information about the traffic.

Adam Pipe, Essex Police’s head of roads policing, said: “While I understand motorists can be frustrated about having to wait in traffic following collisions, calling 999 to air your frustrations is completely unacceptable.

"In incidents where people tragically lose their lives on our roads, investigating officers have to carry out a full examination of the scene to determine how someone has died.

“This often means road closures and sometimes they can last for long periods of time, however, we will always release the closure as soon as possible.

"Please remember that while you are waiting to go home and return to your families, our officers are having to break the devastating news that a loved one has died.

“We thank you for your patience as we deal with incidents and we continue to urge you not to call our control handlers who are responding to emergencies across our county but to call our non-emergency number 101 if you have any concerns.”

Police also received a number of reports of vehicles turning around and driving the wrong way up slip roads after being caught in traffic - an illegal and highly dangerous manoeuvre.

They are now appealing for information and dashcam footage that may have captured offenders.

If you have any information or footage, call 101, report it on www.essex.police.uk/do-it-online or submit it to www.saferessexroads.org/extraeyes/extra-eyes-what-next