AN elderly couple's car narrowly avoided smashing into petrol pumps at a garage on one of Suffolk's busiest roads after it careered on to a forecourt and overturned.

AN elderly couple's car narrowly avoided smashing into petrol pumps at a garage on one of Suffolk's busiest roads after it careered on to a forecourt and overturned.

The couple, who are both in their 80s, miraculously escaped with minor injuries following yesterday's incident on the A14 near Newmarket.

A firefighter who was called to the scene admitted: "Potentially it could have been a lot worse."

The accident happened less than a month after a major disaster was narrowly averted when a lorry smashed into a pump at a garage on the A12 at Capel St Mary, near Ipswich, overturned and left petrol spewing over the forecourt.

Yesterday's incident happened at around 8.40am, as rush-hour traffic was starting to build on the eastbound carriageway.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said the accident happened on a slip road leading to the One Thousand Guineas Service Station, with the couple's Proton car overturning on the forecourt and stopping within feet of the petrol pumps.

Initial reports suggested the vehicle might have been on fire, although emergency services called to the scene confirmed there was no blaze.

Firefighter Mark Elliott, who is based at Newmarket station, said: "They were quite fortunate as potentially it could have been a lot worse.

"The accident happened on the forecourt where the HGVs go to fill up, and was quite close to the pumps.

"We were called along with a rescue vehicle and fire engine from Cambridgeshire.

"Initially the actual car was on its roof, but, from reports, personnel at the service station righted the car, which was probably not a good thing to do as there was still someone in there.

"Cambridge made the scene safe and all of the occupants got out okay."

The police spokesman said the couple's daughter, who was travelling with them at the time of the accident, also escaped without serious injury.

"A Proton car ended up over-turned close to the garage forecourt. Fortunately, the three occupants suffered only minor injuries," he added.

"Police are appealing for any witnesses to this, and would particularly like to hear from the driver of a white van seen travelling along the eastbound carriageway at this time and who may have important information."

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed two crews attended the scene, adding no petrol had spilled during the incident.

No one was available for comment from the One Thousand Guineas Service Station yesterday.

Anyone who witnessed the accident should contact Pc Sarah Nichols, at the Bury Roads Policing Unit, on 01284 774100.