Two young people from Lowestoft have been killed in a crash at Gillingham, near Beccles, while another is 'critical but stable'.

The collision between a red Vauxhall Corsa and a black Mercedes happened on the A143/A146 at approximately 6.30pm on Tuesday.

The female front seat passenger and the rear male passenger in the Corsa died as a result of their injuries, while the female driver is currently in a critical but stable condition in Addenbrookes Hospital. All three are aged 18 and from the Lowestoft area.

The two cars were travelling in opposite directions, with the Corsa heading towards Lowestoft, when they were involved in a crash near a strawberry picking area west of the McDonalds and BP roundabout.

The occupants of the Mercedes, who are not local, were not seriously injured.

A four vehicle crash had also happened on that stretch of road on the corner, where there was a sign warning of slippery conditions, at 8.45am on Tuesday.

The woman who runs the strawberry picking service said she was surprised by the crashes at that scene.

The woman, who did not want to give her name, said: 'It is surprising for me as years ago we had problems when there was a lay-by there, but not now.'

She added: 'If I had seen it I would not have been here doing this today.'

Sue Ward assistant manager at the BP station said crashes were more common up the road near Hales and near the Haddiscoe bends.

She said: 'I think this is the first time there has been one since I have been here, and I have been here four years.'

Paul Englefield, of the McDonalds branch, added that it was 'quite unusual' for a crash to happen there.

The road was closed for more than five hours as investigations were carried out and diversions were put in place.

In the four vehicle crash earlier in the day one woman was taken to the James Paget University Hospital, in Gorleston, after suffering injuries that were described by police as 'not life-changing'.

Today a report from the House of Commons Transport Committee highlighted that the number killed on Britain's roads is rising, with crashes the leading cause of deaths among those aged 16-24.

The committee has called for more help to keep young drivers and cyclists safe and to improve the design of roads.

Launching the report today, the committee's chairman Louise Ellman MP said: 'It is shocking that road accidents are the main cause of death among young adults aged 16-24 and that so many cyclists continue to be killed or injured.'

Anyone who witnessed the collision should contact Norfolk Constabulary's Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101.

To pay tribute to those involved contact Mark Boggis on 01502 525833 or email mark.boggis@archant.co.uk