TEENAGERS are recovering in hospital today after they were in collision with a car while walking down a small dark country lane on the edge of Ipswich. The most badly hurt was a 17-year-old girl.

TEENAGERS are recovering in hospital today after they were in collision with a car while walking down a small dark country lane on the edge of Ipswich.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene at Priory Park Road, Ipswich – the lane which leads to the Orwell Country Park – just before 7pm yesterday.

It is thought the group of teenagers were walking along the lane, away from the Priory Park caravan site, when they were struck by the red Volkswagen Lupo.

A police spokesman said: "The car was coming out of The Priory and travelling towards Nacton Road when it was in collision with a group of teenagers.

"There were cars coming in the opposite direction, but at this stage we do not know exactly what happened."

Ambulance crews received a call from a mobile phone, thought to belong to one of the teenagers, at 6.58pm.

At least two of the youngsters were taken to hospital. The most seriously injured is a 17-year-old girl, who was suffering from a suspected broken arm and head injuries.

The male driver had to be cut from the car by fire crews as it was feared he might have spinal injuries.

It is unknown how many others were hurt or how serious their injuries were, but three ambulances took casualties to Ipswich Hospital.

Three fire appliances also attended. Assistant divisional officer Paul Seager said: "The driver was not trapped but ambulance crews wanted to be able to get him out without aggravating any possible injuries.

"We also used thermal imaging equipment to search the nearby fields in case there were any other casualties we hadn't seen."

The accident happened close to the Hallowtree Scout park, just as many of the Scouts were making their way to their Friday night meeting. The road was closed for around three-quarters of an hour.