A TEENAGER spoke of her and her friends' miraculous escape today, after they scrambled out of a car moments before it burst into flames.Candice Platt was with four pals heading for a 'girlie night out' in Ipswich when her Fiat Punto began to swerve, before flipping over on the A14 near Haughley.

A TEENAGER spoke of her and her friends' miraculous escape today, after they scrambled out of a car moments before it burst into flames.

Candice Platt was with four pals heading for a 'girlie night out' in Ipswich when her Fiat Punto began to swerve, before flipping over on the A14 near Haughley.

It then rolled out of control until it came to a stop against a signpost.

The quintet of 17-year-olds were lucky to have valuable time to get out of the smoking vehicle.

But even then they faced a race against time to break free, with one girl climbing up and squeezing through the sunroof, before flames shot through it.

Miss Platt, of Parklands Green, Fornham St Martin, said: "We got out just in time because it burst into flames just as we got out. I managed to get out of the sunroof. It normally only opens a bit but I managed to squeeze out and then help the others get out.

"It was smoking while we were in the car and we knew it was going to catch fire. As soon as we got the last person out it just went up in flames.

"It was very scary and we were all crying when we got out."

All five women escaped with just cuts and bruises and were taken to hospital for a check-up following the incident.

Miss Platt, who received a bruised thigh, added: "I don't know how I'm not more hurt. We were very lucky really."

It was at around 8.40pm on Thursday that the M-reg car the girls were travelling in began to swerve from side to side in frosty conditions.

Miss Platt, who passed her driving test in April, recalled: "It all happened so quickly. I swerved to the left, then right and then the car turned completely around and I remember being upside down. The next thing I knew was that we were on our side, wedged against a sign.

"I think that sign probably saved our lives because otherwise we wouldn't have stopped rolling. I've got no idea how it happened. I wasn't speeding. I think was because it was frosty."

The girls, all sixth form pupils in Thurston, have all met up since the crash to speak about the events, which has left them without wheels.

Miss Platt said: "I was the only one of my friends who had a car but now we won't be able to get around so much."