TWO people have been killed in road crashes in Suffolk this weekend - renewing concerns over the high number of fatalities.The latest tragedies, in Newmaket and Snape, happened just over a week after an investigation was launched into this year's death toll.

TWO people have been killed in road crashes in Suffolk this weekend - renewing concerns over the high number of fatalities.

The latest tragedies, in Newmaket and Snape, happened just over a week after an investigation was launched into this year's death toll.

With 33 people killed in crashes so far this year, it means there has been an average of one road death in the county almost every week.

Road experts have expressed concerns over the figure, particularly as the number of people dying in crashes had been decreasing over the last two years, with 36 in the whole of 2005.

In the latest accident, 36-year-old Russell Arnold, from the Woodbridge area, was killed when the white Ford Transit van he was driving collided with several parked cars and a pub sign in Snape.

The crash happened outside the Crown Inn on the B1069 at around10.45pm on Saturday as he travelled towards Snape, from the Snape crossroads.

According to local residents, the section of road, with the pub positioned at the bottom of a hill, is easy to misjudge, particularly if drivers exceed the 30mph limit.

Vera Cable, whose son Roger was killed in 1973 when a car crashed into the 19-year-old as he was walking along the road, heard the accident on Saturday.

The 84-year-old, of Wonderland Cottage, opposite the pub, said: “I heard this terrific thump but didn't know what it was.”

Leslie Lewis, 81, of Rose Tree Cottages close to the pub, said it was the second accident this week.

Staff at the Crown Inn were unable to comment last night but it is not believed Mr Arnold had any links to the pub.

The crash came less than a day after a man was killed when his car was involved in an early-morning collision with a 50-tonne tipper lorry in thick fog just outside Newmarket.

Police said the brown Proton Persona the man was driving was in collision with the Daf lorry at just after 2am on Saturday on the main A1304 road - Barbara Stradbroke Avenue.

The man, who has not yet been named, is thought to have died instantly in the crash.

Officers said the road was blocked for seven hours while accident investigation teams examined the scene of the tragedy for clues as to what caused the collision.

Fire crews from Suffolk and Cambridgeshire were called to the accident, which left the man severely trapped in his vehicle. A doctor pronounced him dead at the scene.

Last night road safety charities expressed their shock at the death toll on Suffolk's roads.

Jooles Townsend, head of education for road safety charity Brake, said: “It's a terrible tragedy. Thirty-three deaths in 38 weeks is a shocking figure and it should act as a wake up call to all drivers across Suffolk to really take responsibility for their actions behind the wheel.”

Ian Tidy of the campaign group Road Peace, said he believed the government did not take road deaths as seriously as major incidents, as they involved small numbers over a longer period of time.

But Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for road safety, said: “Suffolk County Council has a vigorous, well-supported and enthusiastic road safety department that's very concerned about this.

“We are doing a lot and are trying to get the message regarding road safety through.”

n Police are appealing for witnesses to the Snape crash and would like to hear from anyone who saw the van prior to the accident. They are also trying to trace Mr Arnold's movements. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pc Steve Fisher at Halesworth Road Policing Unit on 01986 835350.

Anyone who saw the Newmarket collision is asked to call PC Michael Marlow or Sgt Christopher Fiske at the Bury Road Policing Unit via the central switchboard on 01473 613500.