Ipswich: Four people were hurt in a crash early this morning as drivers faced a frosty start with temperatures plummeted to their lowest of the winter overnight.

FOUR people were hurt in a crash early this morning as drivers faced a frosty start with temperatures plummeted to their lowest of the winter overnight.

A major police operation and investigation came into force after a blue Rover and a silver Mazda collided at the junction of Handford Road and West End Road at 7.15.

Four people had to be cut free from the wreckage of the two cars. Three of them were in the Mazda.

Fire crews had to use hydraulic cutting equipment to free the Mazda casualties, all of whom were taken to Ipswich Hospital.

The driver of the Rover was trapped in his car and the roof had to be cut off to free him.

Commuters faced rush-hour chaos as West End Road was closed as emergency services tackled the incident, causing long delays as rush-hour traffic built up.

And temporary traffic lights in Wherstead Road added to the traffic chaos, with vehicles queuing back up Bourne Hill and onto the A14 slip road.

Temperatures fell to just 1C at dawn as clear skies and very little wind created the perfect conditions for a crisp start to the day.

Weatherman Ken Blowers, predicted cloud and rain for the rest of the week but said the frost would not lead to snow.

“The chances of a white Christmas are very slim,” he said. “We had the ideal conditions for a frost but will be returning to our usual weather by the end of the week.”