A VAN driver ran over a man twice after a brutal row broke out.

Residents living in Luncies Road, Basildon, told how they watched on in horror as a grey Transit van reversed into a male. It came after the driver and the man, who was in another vehicle, were heard arguing.

The road rage incident, which took place at about 5.15pm on Tuesday, has sparked a police manhunt.

The male driver sped off after running over the victim’s hand.

The victim, thought to be aged in his forties, miraculously escaped with only minor injuries. He was treated at the scene by paramedics.

An eyewitness, who did not want to be named, said: “I saw the whole thing.

“A blue van was giving way to oncoming cars, then he pulled out and came to a standstill with a grey van – they were right next to each other.

“There was shouting, the driver of the grey van got out, but the blue van driver slammed down into reverse and crushed the guy up against his van.

“He fell to the floor, then the driver ran over him again and wheel-sped off away from the scene.

“I was gobsmacked – I just thought ‘I have seen it all now’.”

She told how several residents could be seen calling the police as the drama unfolded.

Within minutes the road was closed off for an hour while two police cars, and three ambulances attended the scene. An ambulance service spokesman told the Echo the victim and his passenger were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The eyewitness, who lives in Luncies Road, added: “I told the bloke he had to go to hospital but he said he would be alright, then limped off."

It comes a week after the Echo revealed £1,200 had been set aside for extra police patrols in Luncies Road following a spate of robberies.

Anyone with information can call police on 101.