Motorcyclist killed outside hospital

By Richard Smith

A MOTORCYCLIST died outside Ipswich Hospital yesterday when he lost control of his bike and hit a road sign.

The accident happened at 2.45pm when the motorcyclist was travelling from the Foxhall Road roundabout towards the hospital.

He left the road, went onto the central reservation and hit the road sign. The motorbike ended up 25 metres away on the central reservation.

The man was taken by ambulance the short distance to the accident and emergency department but it is believed he had died at the scene.

Police said the motorcyclist was in his 30s and lived in the Ipswich area. Police have not released his name yet.

Police officers closed part of Heath Road for nearly three hours while investigations were carried out. The motorbike was taken away to a garage for examination today.

Ambulances and buses had to be redirected along a different route due to the road closure. Police are appealing for any witnesses to contact Pc Phil Barrett on 01473 613730.

Meanwhile, police last night named a driver killed in a head-on crash in Suffolk on Friday morning and made an appeal for witnesses.

American serviceman Gerald Nicholls died as rescue teams flew him to hospital after the accident on the A1101 near Sedge Fen.

Police say the 32-year-old airman was based at RAF Mildenhall and lived in Ely. Officers released the victim's name after speaking to relatives who flew in from America yesterday.

Mr Nicholls died after his silver Hyundai was in collision with a Land Rover Discovery, ending up at the edge of a deep road-side ditch.

Police said yesterday they wanted to speak to the drivers of two lorries which stopped at Shippea Hill railway crossing and were overtaken by a red Peugeot, who may be witnesses.

They are also keen to speak to a smartly dressed man who said he was from Littleport. Detectives say this man, who stopped at the scene and gave cigarettes to people before leaving, is "potentially a vital witness".