A WOMAN has died after the car she was driving collided with a lorry on a rural Suffolk road.

The crash happened on the A1095 between Blythburgh and Southwold yesterday lunchtime, closing the road for several hours while emergency services attended the scene.

A 58-year-old local woman, who has yet to be named by police, was killed when her purple Vauxhall Agila collided with a blue curtain-sided Mercedes lorry at about 1pm.

The driver of the lorry was treated for shock by paramedics but escaped from the wreckage otherwise uninjured. Firefighters from Southwold, Wrentham, Leiston and Lowestoft South stations arrived to find the woman trapped inside the car and diesel leaking from the lorry’s ruptured fuel tank.

They were able to stem the flow and release the woman but attempts to save her failed and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The road stayed closed in both directions into the evening, between the A12 junction and Quay Lane junction.

Police set up diversions via Quay Lane, Wangford Road and the A12, leading to delays.

Paddy Flegg, a Waveney district councillor who passed the scene at about 1.20pm, last night called the fatal collision a “tragedy”, adding: “The road was already closed when I saw another two fire engines, two police cars and an ambulance on the way there. I guessed it was something bad but it’s awful news that someone died. It’s always a tragedy.

“I have not heard of any serious accidents happening recently along that stretch. It’s a bit windy with a hidden dip and one or two sharp corners but people drive carefully.”

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to call the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01473 613500.