A COUPLE travelling to the airport for a Caribbean holiday were killed instantly when their soft top Mercedes car burst into flames after a head-on crash on the Fordham bypass. The 40-year-old man and his 26-year-old girlfriend died in the early hours of

A COUPLE travelling to the airport for a Caribbean holiday were killed instantly when their soft top Mercedes car burst into flames after a head-on crash on the Fordham bypass.

The 40-year-old man and his 26-year-old girlfriend died in the early hours of Sunday morning as they travelled from their home in King's Lynn to Gatwick Airport to catch a flight to the Dominican Republic.

Their black Mercedes crashed head-on with a blue Mercedes travelling in the opposite direction towards Soham.

The other driver, a 22-year-old man from Soham, is fighting for his life in hospital after it was believed he suffered burns in the accident which closed the bypass for eight hours.

Debris was scattered across the road and it is believed one of the vehicles crossed the carriageway before the accident which happened at 4.55am on the A142 between Soham and Newmarket.

Eighteen fire-fighters, including a rescue crew from Cambridge, were called to the scene after the alarm was raised by a passing taxi driver.

Sergeant Chris Clare, from Cambridgeshire's Road Policing Unit, said: "It was an horrific scene by anybody's standards, from the actual debris and the people involved.

"It wasn't very pleasant for those people dealing with it, from the police, fire service and paramedics to those other drivers who were the first on the scene."

An ambulance service spokesman said: "Crews reported that both vehicles were on fire and a lot of debris was on the road. One vehicle was completely burned out and it was clear it had been a head-on collision."

The driver of the other car involved was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where his condition is described as "critical but stable".

The Fordham bypass, which stretches for two-and-a-quarter miles, was officially opened in July, 2005 at a cost of £12.5 million.

Police have launched an investigation into the crash and have appealed for witnesses to come forward.

INFO: Anyone with any information should contact Sgt Clare on 0845 456 4564.