By Liz HearnshawA MOTORIST has died after his car was involved in an horrific collision with an articulated lorry outside an American air base.The man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened at about 12.

By Liz Hearnshaw

A MOTORIST has died after his car was involved in an horrific collision with an articulated lorry outside an American air base.

The man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident, which happened at about 12.45pm yesterday on the A1065, which runs alongside RAF Lakenheath.

The collision involved an A-registered Renault Clio and a Volvo Globetrotter lorry. Fire crews from Mildenhall, Thetford, Brandon and Methwold were called to cut the Renault driver from the mangled wreckage of his vehicle.

Sgt David Griffiths, of Suffolk police, said: “An unladen articulated lorry, travelling towards Brandon and containing a male driver, was in collision with a Renault Clio, travelling from Brandon towards Lakenheath.

“A local man, driving the Clio, was pronounced dead at the scene and was removed from the vehicle by the fire service. The lorry driver was shocked, but uninjured.

“As a result of the collision, the fuel tank on the articulated lorry became detached, spilling its contents on the grass verge. This is not dangerous, but is still an environmental issue.

“An accident investigation will take place as weather conditions were fairly clear at the time of the collision.”

Diversions were put in place as police accident investigators examined the scene and debris strewn across both carriageways was removed.

Motorists faced long delays throughout the afternoon while officers waited for the vehicles to be taken away.

Environment Agency officials were also called in to clear diesel spilt on the grass verge as a result of the impact.

The lorry crashed into the perimeter fence at RAF Lakenheath following the collision and an air base spokesman said the damage would be repaired quickly to ensure the security of the site.

“The fence was not completely taken down but three pillars were damaged. Our civil engineers are quickly responding to repair the fence. We are obviously making every effort to ensure the security of the base during this time,” he added.

Anyone with information should contact Pc John Turner, of Bury St Edmunds traffic police, on 01284 774224.

liz.hearnshaw@eadt.co.uk