Police and firefighters responded to the incident between junctions 12 and 11 around 3.20pm yesterday (March 11).
The fire service worked to free the trapped person before handing them into the care of paramedics.
Nobody was seriously hurt, according to the police.
An Essex County Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: “Crews were called to the A12 between Junction 12 – 11 at 3.35pm this afternoon.
“On arrival firefighters reported that a road traffic collision involving three cars and an HGV had taken place, and one person was trapped in their vehicle.
“Firefighters worked to release the casualty from their vehicle and left them in the care of the Ambulance Service.”
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “We were called to reports of a four vehicle collision on the A12 near junction 11 at 3.20pm on 11 March.
“No-one was seriously injured.
“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.
“Please quote incident 699 of 11 March.”
The ambulance service was contacted for comment but did not respond.
