RAF MILDENHALL, England — Three Americans, including an infant, were hospitalized Tuesday afternoon following a two-car accident on the road connecting RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall, authorities said.
The accident occurred shortly before 1 p.m. when a Vauxhall Carlton traveling eastbound on Mildenhall Road and driven by the spouse of an airman from the 100th Air Refueling Wing crossed the center line and collided with a westbound Pontiac driven by an unidentified U.S. Air Force captain from the 48th Fighter Wing, according to the Suffolk Constabulary and base officials.
Both vehicles left the roadway and came to rest on the roadside, the constabulary said.
The female driver of the Vauxhall was rushed to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St. Edmunds by air ambulance while the infant was taken by ambulance to the same hospital, according to officials from the Suffolk Constabulary and the East of England Ambulance Service. The captain was treated and released from the Lakenheath hospital.
The accident forced the closure of the road for several hours Tuesday afternoon and prompted a detour route for motorists traveling between the two Air Force installations.
The road, also known as the Holywell Row Road, is a roughly two-mile stretch of curvy, narrow roadway known for its lack of space between east and westbound lanes.
Commanders on both RAFs Lakenheath and Mildenhall established in 2003 a no-passing policy for motorists on many local roads around the base, including Holywell Row Road, following a series of fatal accidents.
The Suffolk Constabulary is asking for any potential witnesses to contact Police Constable Paul Smith of the Bury St. Edmunds road safety unit at 01284 774 224 to provide additional details.
