A CHILD seat is believed to have saved the life of a three-year-old boy involved in a horror smash which claimed the life of his mother.The toddler escaped with minor cuts and bruises in the collision on the A14 at Levington yesterday.

A CHILD seat is believed to have saved the life of a three-year-old boy involved in a horror smash which claimed the life of his mother.

The toddler escaped with minor cuts and bruises in the collision on the A14 at Levington yesterday.

His mother, a 28-year-old woman from Rushmere St Andrew, is thought to have died from a heart attack brought on by the injuries she suffered.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police today said: “Officers believe the child seat probably saved his life.

“He was correctly strapped in and in the right child seat for his size.

“The fact that he got out with only minor injuries is probably because he had a good child seat and that it an important message to get across to others as this can save lives.

“The child was in the back of the car, facing forward.”

The identity of the boy's mother has not yet been released and an inquest into her death is expected to be opened soon.

Police are not yet sure what caused the accident and are appealing to any witnesses to the collision to come forward.

As revealed in later editions of yesterday's Evening Star, the woman's Fiat Bravo car was the only vehicle involved in the collision and is believed to have crossed the central reservation on to the Felixstowe-bound carriageway at about noon yesterday.

Police are investigating what may have happened prior to the collision and want to speak to the occupants of a red estate car which was travelling on the same carriageway with its hazard lights on.

They also want to trace the driver of a VW Golf, travelling in the opposite direction, which is believed to have stopped initially and then carried on.

The fatal collision was the second on Suffolk's roads in just 24 hours after a 25-year-old motorcyclist was killed when he collided with a Citroen car on Monday.

The male driver, who has not been named but is believed to be from the Colchester area, died at hospital following the collision on Anson Road, Martlesham.

The accidents have brought the tally of those killed on Suffolk's roads to nine so far in 2006.

The figures show a slight drop compared with the same period in 2005, when 11 people died on the county's roads.

Yesterday's accident caused major delays for motorists using the A14 as the road was closed in both directions while accident investigators and clean-up teams attended the scene.

Did you witness either accident? Do you know those involved? If so, telephone The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or email starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.