AT least four people are being treated in hospital today after a two-car crash in Ipswich.The accident happened at around 3.40pm yesterday when a VW Polo collided with a 3 series BMW near the Henley Road junction with Valley Road.

FIVE people are being treated in hospital today after a two-car crash in Ipswich.

The accident happened at around 3.40pm yesterday when a VW Polo collided with a 3 series BMW near the Henley Road junction with Valley Road.

All emergency services were called to the scene, after reports that four people were trapped.

Firefighters sent three crews, releasing four people who were then taken to hospital by ambulance.

The accident happened just yards from Jennifer Bailey's home in Valley Road.

She said: "I heard a bang and opened up the curtains. I could see all these lights and it looked pretty nasty.

"The police told me one of those involved was not very good."

The 48-year-old female driver of the Polo is believed to be from Ipswich and suffered head injuries, while a 41-year-old female passenger, also from Ipswich, sustained back injuries.

The 53-year-old female driver of the BMW, from Kent, suffered back injuries and an 89-year-old man from Stowmarket, travelling in the front passenger seat, suffered fractured ribs. An 83-year-old woman, also from Stowmarket, travelling in the back of the BMW sustained a fractured right rib and a 60-year-old woman, from Ipswich, in the back of the car, suffered bruising from the seat belt.

An off-duty nurse from Ipswich Hospital was on her way home from a shift when she came across the crash before emergency services arrived.

The 27-year-old stopped to help the elderly man in the BMW and stayed with him while firefighters cut him out of the car. She said: "He was very shocked. I think he was aware of what was going on. I was holding his neck while they were trying to get him out."

A police spokesman said today their injuries were "serious, but not life threatening."

Residents on the opposite side of the road reported seeing three or four ambulances and a casulaty stretchered from the scene.

They confirmed that emergency services were at the scene until after 4pm.

The road was blocked after the accident and diversions were put in place.

Residents said another accident had occurred further along the road a few weeks ago.

Although they were not referring to the accident yesterday, householders claimed that despite Ipswich council taking measures to reduce problems, some motorists were not taking care.

The speed limit along Valley Road is 40mph and some people feel this is too high.

One resident said: "I can't understand why it is 40 here and in Rushmere it is 30, it doesn't make sense. I don't think cutting the speed limit will make that much difference though."

A police spokeswoman said witnesses to yesterday's accident were being sought.

She said: "An accident investigation is underway. Any witnesses should contact Pc John Wilson at force headquarters traffic unit on 01473 613500."

The cause of the accident is not yet known.