A man has died and two more people are fighting for their lives after a serious crash with a sewage tanker.

The truck was driving northbound on the A267 near Cross in Hand, near Heathfield, when it collided with a black Ford Focus in the southbound lane.

The Ford's driver, a 32-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. His passengers, all from East London, are fighting for their lives in hospital.

Emergency services were called to the scene, near the junction with Mayfield Flat, on Tuesday morning at around 7am. Pictures from the scene show the sewage truck on its side.

Two passengers in the car, a 24-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man were taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries where they remain.

A third passenger – a 22-year-old man – sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries, and was also taken to hospital.

The air ambulance landing at the sceneThe air ambulance landing at the scene (Image: Supplied)

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The 32-year-old driver was initially said to have suffered serious injuries, but police have later confirmed he died at the scene. His family have been contacted and are being supported by specialist officers.

The lorry driver sustained minor injuries.

The incident is under investigation and collision investigators are urging anyone who saw what happened to email collision.appeal@sussex.police.uk quoting Operation Hales.

In particular, police are keen to hear from anyone who drove past but did not stop at the scene, who may have dash cam or mobile footage.