A woman arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs has been released under investigation.

Police were called just before 3.55pm on Saturday, December 9 to reports of a two vehicle collision involving a black Ford Mondeo and a black Hyundai Getz on the A143 at Wattisfield, near Diss.

Ambulance and fire crews were also in attendance but the female passenger of the Hyundai, a woman aged in her 80s, died at the scene.

Community leaders have expressed their shock and sadness at the tragic death of an 80-year-old woman in a devastating car crash close to a Suffolk village.

Jessica Fleming, county councillor for Hartismere division and district councillor for Rickinghall and Walsham ward - both of which cover Wattisfield - said: “My thoughts and feelings are of enormous sympathy and sadness - for the family affected, especially.

“The death of someone on our roads should simply not be happening. It is not necessary for people to die on the roads.”

She added that: “We have had a lot of trouble trying to slow the traffic down in that area,” with part of the A143 recently reduced to a 40mph from 60mph.

“It’s an area the police sometimes do monitor, but their resources are so stretched they can’t be everywhere all at once,” she explained.

While the causes of this accident are still unclear and being investigated, Mrs Fleming said: “All we can try to do is encourage safe and responsible driving, especially at this time of year.

“I’m terribly, terribly saddened to hear if this accident. It’s so sad that one person had to die.”

The male driver of the Hyundai Getz and the female driver of the Ford Mondeo both received treatment for minor injuries.

A 38–year-old woman from the Bury St Edmunds area has subsequently been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs.

She was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning but has since been released under investigation.The road was closed between the B1113 and Summer Road whilst a collision investigation took place but it reopened at 8.30pm on Saturday.

Any witnesses, or anyone with information about this incident, is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101 quoting reference CAD 258 of December 9.