THE neighbour and close friend of an elderly couple who were seriously injured in an horrific road accident has said the whole community is struggling to come to terms with what happened.

THE neighbour and close friend of an elderly couple who were seriously injured in an horrific road accident has said the whole community is struggling to come to terms with what happened.

Ron Smith, of London Road, Ipswich, said he was shocked to learn that Brian and Christine Seymour, 66 and 58, and their two grandchildren, Ethan, two, and Kieran, six, were fighting for their lives on Thursday.

The four were involved in a horrific crash with a motorbike at about 4.30pm as they crossed London Road having visited Chantry Park.

Mr Smith's stepdaughter, Sandra Noto, is looking to set up a charity fund to help support the family.

Mr Smith told the EADT: "Me and my wife have been friends with Brian and Christine for about 10 years now. They are a great couple and we get on very well.

"They would do anything for anyone and really are brilliant people. All the neighbours have been knocking on our door asking how they are and we have had a lot cards wishing them well.

He continued: "The grandchildren are lovely. I get on famously well with little Kieron and he always comes up to my garden gate and asks how I am. I've watched him grow up. He is a smashing lad.

"It has been a very stressful time for the whole family. When I first heard about the accident it hit me very hard. The whole community has been in a state of shock and we all hope they get better soon."

His stepdaughter added: "A lot of people want to help the family but it is difficult to know just what to do.

"We all want to do something helpful so I thought that by setting up a trust we could make donations and help them out with the rehabilitation process."

Last night a spokesperson for Ipswich Hospital said both Mr and Mrs Seymour were in a stable condition and that Ethan had returned home.

A spokesperson for Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge refused to comment on Kieran's condition.

Mr Smith said he had visited Mr and Mrs Seymour on a number of occasions and had seen an improvement.

"Brian has regained consciousness and is responding because he recognised me and my partner," he said.

"Christine is not all that brilliant and is still in a coma but she did turn her head when the nurse called her name.

"The better news is that Ethan is now back home with his other grandparents but unfortunately we won't know about Kieran for a few days. He is still on life support and has serious head injuries."

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