Tragedy on the A12: Officer Dies in Line of Duty
A dedicated police officer from Essex Police has died following a collision on the A12 while he was responding to an emergency call.
The tragic incident occurred at around midday on Wednesday, November 20, 2025. The officer was travelling on a stretch of the major road near Ingatestone when the crash happened.
Essex Police confirmed the devastating news, stating that the officer died at the scene. In their initial statement, the force indicated that it is not believed any other vehicle was involved in the collision.
Road Closure and Investigation
The A12 was closed for a significant period, stretching for hours into Wednesday, as a direct consequence of the crash.
Specialist officers were deployed to the location to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the death of their colleague. The prolonged closure caused major disruptions for motorists throughout the afternoon and evening.
Tributes from the Essex Police Family
Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington led the tributes, expressing the profound grief felt across the entire force.
‘My thoughts and prayers, and those of the entire Essex Police family, are with the officer’s family and friends,’ Harrington said. He paid a moving tribute to the fallen officer, describing him as a ‘professional and courageous colleague’.
‘He was a dedicated professional who died doing his job – protecting and serving the people of Essex. I will always be grateful for his service,’ the Chief Constable added.
The force is now focused on supporting the officer’s heartbroken colleagues and his family during this immensely difficult time. Chief Constable Harrington also issued a request to the public, urging people not to speculate about the collision and to allow the professional investigators to complete their work without interference.
He concluded by thanking members of the public who were affected by the incident for their ‘patience, understanding, and co-operation’ with the emergency services who responded to the tragic event.
