TERRIFIED bus passengers escaped unhurt after a crash at an accident blackspot in Great Blakenham.The drama unfolded after the 88 First Eastern Counties service from Ipswich to Stowmarket was in collision with a van towing another car.

TERRIFIED bus passengers escaped unhurt after a crash at an accident blackspot in Great Blakenham.

The drama unfolded after the 88 First Eastern Counties service from Ipswich to Stowmarket was in collision with a van towing another car.

The man in the towed vehicle, who was cut free from the wreckage, suffered neck injuries and a broken leg and was taken to Ipswich Hospital.

His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. A bus passenger suffered bruising.

Emergency services were called to the B1113 Stowmarket Road near the Chequers Inn pub at around 1.12pm yesterday.

Fire crews from Needham Market and Ipswich released the casualties as passengers fled the bus. The road was blocked for two hours.

Tom Oxley from bus company First, said: "Our driver was shaken but not hurt. The vehicle has extensive damage to the front and is now back at the depot. We will be conducting an investigation into the incident and will be seeking to interview the driver and any witnesses."

Karin Alderson, a bar worker at the Chequers Inn, said: "We heard ambulances flying past. You could see the car with its roof cut off. The bus didn't look too bad.

"This is the first big crash we've had here that I know of, apart from a few little bumps."

Steve Plume, a parish councillor for Great Blakenham Parish council, said the accident heightened the need for road improvements in the village.

He said: "The road is almost a dual carriageway in the centre of the village. It is too wide and too fast. That junction in particular is notorious for little bumps – usually involving pedestrians and cyclists who cannot pull away quick enough."

Rod Sore, road safety engineer for Suffolk County Council, said: "Although we do not have the details of this accident, this junction is not a site with a significant accident record and we have no plans for any safety improvements in the near future.

"We are aware of concerns over speeding along this road and are working to address this."

He added that there had been safety improvements to the nearby Bramford Road/B113 junction.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.