ST John Ambulance trainee, Jennifer Graham, told today how she found herself taking a practical exam before she had even finished the theory when she helped out at the scene of a road accident on the way to her first aid course.

ST John Ambulance trainee, Jennifer Graham, told today how she found herself taking a practical exam before she had even finished the theory when she helped out at the scene of a road accident on the way to her first aid course.

Jennifer, of Ellis Street, Boxford, was on the B1071 at around 8am on Wednesday when she saw an accident happen behind her and knew she had to put her skills to the test.

She was on her way to the group's headquarters in Samuel Street, Ipswich, when she witnessed the crash.

A car and a van had collided close to where she lives in the Suffolk village.

She said: " Normally I would probably drive on and just call the ambulance but I thought this time, because of the course, I would stop and see what I could do.

"I checked one man and a woman in the other car, then I called the ambulance.

"The man had then got up and wandered off so I sat him down and basically reassured both of them," she said.

Jennifer, who is taking the course as part of her degree in acupuncture, said everybody back at St John's praised her actions.

Colin Pickess, senior trainer at St John's said: "Jennifer rang to say she was going to be late because she was attending an accident.

"I just think it is excellent that she had a go and tried to put what she had learned in to practice so early on."

Meanwhile, police are still appealing for witnesses to the crash which involved a Vauxhall Corsa and a Vauxhall van.

No one was seriously injured although the van driver was taken to Colchester General Hospital.

Police said they want to speak to the driver of a red Citroen AX car or a similar looking car.

Anyone with information should call the police traffic unit on 01473 613500.