An ambulance trust is warning road users to take extra care following a spike in the number of collisions this month.

The East of England Ambulance Trust issued the warning yesterday (July 28) after receiving 61 emergency calls to road traffic collisions on Monday (July 27), the first day of the school summer holidays.

The trust received 49 calls on the same day in 2014.

Call handlers have so far taken 1,379 calls to road accidents this month, 42 more than last year.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Trust said: “We are urging road users to take extra care following a spate of traffic collisions in the region.

“On Monday there were five separate collisions on the same stretch of road that needed ambulance responses.

“One person sadly died, four patients were taken to hospital and another six patients were assessed at the roadside following the crashes.

“The trust is urging road users to follow our advice to stay safe this summer.

“Please leave an appropriate distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead when driving and learn an unfamiliar route beforehand to minimise reliance on your sat nav.

“Always stick to the speed limits, check the weather forecast before you head out and be aware of other road users around you such as motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Please also avoid distractions like mobile phones and eating at the wheel.”