Community leaders have reacted with shock and sadness at the major crash on the outskirts of Newmarket which led to the death of two men.

Two women were also seriously hurt in the collision in Exning Road, close to the A14, which happened at around 11.50pm on Sunday.

Newmarket Town Council, who had their annual meeting last night, held a minute’s silence before business began and mayor Andy Drummond said the accident was “very tragic”.

Heidi Hathaway, who is also a Exning Parish councillor and lives near the crash site, said it was an “horrific” incident.

Police officers said a blue Volkswagen Golf and a silver Renault Laguna were involved in the crash. A 20-year-old man who was driving the Laguna and a 43-year-old male passenger of the Golf died at the scene. Two women from inside the Golf were taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital with serious injuries.

Speaking ahead of the meeting last night, Mr Drummond said: “I am shocked that there has been two fatalities as a result of the crash and it’s very tragic that these people have been killed.

“I plan to hold a minute’s silence at our meeting for those who sadly lost their lives.”

Mrs Hathaway described how she and her husband watched in vain as emergency crews battled to save the people involved.

She said: “It was horrific; we didn’t see the accident, but we saw fire crews cutting people out of cars and two people being stretchered off.”

The cause of the crash is not yet known, but she said there has been long-standing concern about the conditions of the road.

“As a resident I have been campaigning to get signage on that bend as there has been too many accidents there,” Mrs Hathaway added. “There needs to be traffic calming measures introduced as it’s quite a sharp bend.

“I did not hear the crash but I realised something serious had happened when the emergency vehicles arrived and the road was closed all night.

“It’s sad people have lost their lives.”

Mrs Hathaway added: “They [the emergency services] were really quick to attend – they did an amazing job.”

Any witnesses to the crash and anyone with information is asked to call 101.