TRIBUTES were paid today to a policewoman who died when the patrol car she was driving collided with a parked lorry while on an emergency call.The marked police car had its blue lights flashing and siren sounding when it collided with the lorry in West End Road, Ipswich, on Saturday night.

TRIBUTES were paid today to a policewoman who died when the patrol car she was driving collided with a parked lorry while on an emergency call.

The marked police car had its blue lights flashing and siren sounding when it collided with the lorry in West End Road, Ipswich, on Saturday night.

The driver, Pc Cheryl Lloyd, 42, from Ipswich, died at the scene. Her passenger was taken to Ipswich Hospital and then transferred to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, for treatment to a head injury.

He has not been named by Suffolk police, but a hospital spokesman said the officer was still in a "critical, but stable condition".

Suffolk police immediately launched a "full and thorough" investigation into the accident, which the lorry driver, Michael Greenway, 50, from Banbury, Oxfordshire, escaped from uninjured.

Friends and colleagues arrived throughout the day at the accident scene to lay flowers in memory of Pc Lloyd, who had been with Suffolk police for six years and was based in Ipswich. Family liaison officers have also been comforting Pc Lloyd's next of kin.

Suffolk Chief Constable Alastair McWhirter led the tributes to Pc Lloyd and praised her as an outstanding officer, who was due to get a commendation for her attempts to save the life of a man who had got into difficulties while swimming in the River Orwell.

In August, with two colleagues, Pc Brian Malster and Pc Nick Rush, she had helped rescue a 41-year-old man from the river by Grafton Way, Ipswich.

She gave the man mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but died two days later in hospital.

Paying tribute to Pc Lloyd, Mr McWhirter said: "This is a tragic loss of life and my thoughts and deepest sympathies go to Cheryl's family, friends and loved ones.

"Cheryl was an outstanding credit to the Suffolk Constabulary. She was an extremely brave officer."

"She was a highly skilled police officer that will be sorely missed by her many friends and colleagues within the force. My thoughts are also with the friends and family of the other officer involved in this tragic incident."

Pc Lloyd used to be a health club manager with the Gym and Trim fitness centre in Ipswich, but took a career change six years ago and joined Suffolk Constabulary.

Ted Race, owner of the gym, said: "She worked for me for 18 years and she became one of my closest friends.

"She was one of the few people I can say I was truly privileged to work with - a wonderful girl. I will miss her incredibly.

"I think she decided to join the police force to better herself and to become part of the community.

"She gave her all in whatever job she was doing. There were never any half measures.

"All she ever wanted to do was to help people."

Miss Lloyd started working with Mr Race at the age of 15 at Ordnance Fish Bar, in Felixstowe.

The Felixstowe-born woman stayed working for Mr Race at numerous businesses including a newsagents and petrol stations before taking a job at Gym and Trim.

Mr Race, owner of the gym, said: "I just can't believe it has happened, it is such a tragic waste of a life."

While working the gym Miss Lloyd became a special constable, working voluntarily for the police.

But when a full-time vacancy arose she became a police constable in Ipswich.

Miss Lloyd leaves behind her mother and a sister, who both live in Felixstowe, and another sister, in Perth, Australia.

Mike Nunn, a Suffolk police spokesman, said: "Although details are still sketchy, it is believed that the police vehicle was involved in an investigation into a car suspected of being involved in criminal activity."

The incident has been reported to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Anyone with information about the accident should contact Suffolk police on 01473 613500.