TWO more lives were lost on a notorious Suffolk road yesterday, taking the death toll on the route to ten during the past 12 months.The latest fatalities – a result of two separate accidents just three miles apart on the A1101 – bring the total killed on the county's roads this year to 55, compared with 43 during 2002.

TWO more lives were lost on a notorious Suffolk road yesterday, taking the death toll on the route to ten during the past 12 months.

The latest fatalities – a result of two separate accidents just three miles apart on the A1101 – bring the total killed on the county's roads this year to 55, compared with 43 during 2002.

In the first incident, at 10.30am, 78-year-old Aubrey Buddle, from Neve Gardens in West Row, was fatally injured when his pedal cycle was involved in a horrific collision with a Citroen Saxo car at Beck Row, near Mildenhall.

Mr Buddle was taken to the West Suffolk Hospital, in Bury St Edmunds, where medics then pronounced him dead.

Although the Citroen was carrying a mother and her young child at the time of the incident, neither was injured.

Just four hours later, a Transit van collided with a Ford Ka, three miles further along the A1101, at Sedge Fen. Although the smash happened at a point where the road is flanked by steep, water-filled ditches, both vehicles remained on the carriageway.

Fire crews were called to the scene to cut the male driver of the car free from the mangled wreckage, while a doctor from the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service also attended. However, the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police closed the road during the busy afternoon rushhour to complete accident investigations. The dead man has not yet been named, but is believed to be in his early 20s and from Norfolk.

It is believed the Transit involved was a Rent-o-Kill van, which was in the area after being called to help clear the road following the earlier smash.

Sgt Graham Burch, of Suffolk police, was called to both incidents. Along with other officers, he carried out investigations at the scenes and helped clear the carriageways.

He said: "We would appeal for anyone who witnessed either collision to come forward."

The latest tragedies comes after a string of fatal accidents along the roadway, where the lives of four adults and three children have been claimed over the past year.

Most have been connected with the two American air bases at Mildenhall and Lakenheath, either as personnel or the relatives of airmen and women.

Furious campaigners began calling for improvements along the A1101 in September, following a tragic accident which killed young mother Cortina Hamilton and her three children Jalin, five, three-year-old Alyssa and toddler Malik. This accident happened just one mile away from yesterday's second fatal crash.

In November, Suffolk County Council announced a £50,000 package of works to better safety at the route, to include vibra-strips along the side of the road, which at points is flanked by a 20ft water-filled ditch, and lowering the speed limit from 60mph to 50mph.

Hazard posts and more warning signs will also be installed along the route.

Anyone who witnessed the first collision should contact Pc Sarah Nichols, at Bury St Edmunds Traffic Unit, on 01284 774422, while anyone with information on the second should contact Pc Roger Bishop, on the same number.

nA seven-year-old girl was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg as a result of a third accident yesterday.

It is believed the youngster stepped into the path of a white Volkswagen van as it travelled along Canham's Road, Great Cornard, at around 8.35am.

Police and ambulance were called to the scene, outside the Highbury Barn pub, and the girl was taken to the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds. The East Anglian Air Ambulance was also called to the scene, but it was not needed.

Anyone with any information should call Sudbury police on 01284 774300.