AN AMERICAN servicewoman is today fighting for her life after a serious accident which saw her car leave the road and smash into a tree.The 20-year-old airman first class, stationed at RAF Lakenheath, was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after her blue Renault 19 left the A1065 at Eriswell, close to the base.

AN AMERICAN servicewoman is today fighting for her life after a serious accident which saw her car leave the road and smash into a tree.

The 20-year-old airman first class, stationed at RAF Lakenheath, was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge after her blue Renault 19 left the A1065 at Eriswell, close to the base.

She suffered serious head injuries as a result of Saturday's accident, which happened at around 10.45pm, and medics yesterday described her condition as “critical.”

Last night, officials from the base said their thoughts and prayers were with the family of the airman, who is assigned to the 48th Medical Operations squadron.

They also said a number of programmes were in place to ensure the safety of drivers from the American bases who use British roads during the winter.

These include a scheme organised in conjunction with the police which sees vehicles leaving and entering the bases stopped at random for safety checks.

And anyone assigned to the bases, either as a serviceman or a relative, is required to sit a course teaching them about British driving laws and conditions before winning a permit.

“The air force wants to make sure everybody coming over here is orientated to drive on roads which are very different to those in the US,” added a spokesman.

Plans for improvements along the A1065 are in the pipeline, with new rumble strips and warning signs to be installed in the New Year.

“Every year, statistics are produced for that road, where there is a 60mph limit,” said Jane Andrews-Smith, who covers the area on Suffolk County Council.

“The A1065 is in a way ready for measures, as there are plenty of side roads along the route which can cause accidents with people pulling out.

“One junction, at Field Lane, is to be closed in January, and three others are having rumble strips and warning signs installed.

“It might be that traffic signals will need to be put in on roads which people have difficulties coming out of, and we might need to bring the limit down, which is something I would be in favour of.”

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council confirmed rumble strips and warning signs would be installed in the New Year, and said a feasibility study was currently underway to examine the possibility of introducing traffic lights and a lower speed limit.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old motorist injured following an accident on Wednesday night remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The man was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital after his Honda Accord collided with a heavy goods vehicle on the eastbound carriageway of the A14 at Newmarket.

And 16-year-old Deborah Parkes, who suffered multiple life-threatening injuries when she was hit by a van and catapulted through a garden wall in Red Lodge, near Mildenhall, is now in a “stable” condition in hospital.

The teenager has been moved to an isolation ward after contracting MRSA.

Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the latest accident at Eriswell to contact Pc Tim Murgatroyd, at the Bury traffic unit, on 01284 774100.

nOfficers in Norfolk are appealing for witnesses to contact them following an accident on the A11 at Thetford.

The smash, which happened at around 12.50am on Saturday, left the driver of a Ford Escort suffering head injuries after his van collided with the rear of a Volvo articulated lorry.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact 01953 424242.