A man has died following a serious incident at Rayleigh Weir on Tuesday morning, triggering a large-scale emergency response and the full closure of the A127 while police carried out enquiries at the scene.
Essex Police confirmed they were called to the area after receiving concerns for the welfare of an individual near the roadway. Despite the swift arrival of officers and emergency medical crews, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.
As part of the investigation, authorities shut down the A127 at Rayleigh Weir, causing severe delays across the region. Traffic queued for miles throughout the morning and into the afternoon, with congestion spilling onto surrounding routes including The High Street and Rayleigh Road. Several local bus services also reported significant disruption due to the closure.
In a statement, Essex Police urged drivers to avoid the area while officers worked to safely manage the scene.
“We know nearby routes are also impacted. We would ask motorists to find alternative routes and avoid the area where possible,” a spokesperson said.
Police are now appealing for witnesses and anyone who may have relevant footage from the time of the incident.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, please get in contact with us. Please quote 0155 of Tuesday 9 December,” the spokesperson added.
Due to the sensitive nature of the case, no further details have been released. Authorities continue to support those affected as the investigation remains ongoing.