A MAN died after having a suspected heart attack at the wheel of his car, ambulance staff said yesterday.The 50-year-old man, from Stanway, was driving his white pick-up truck along Colchester Road, Ardleigh, when he is believed to have collapsed at about 12.

A MAN died after having a suspected heart attack at the wheel of his car, ambulance staff said yesterday.

The 50-year-old man, from Stanway, was driving his white pick-up truck along Colchester Road, Ardleigh, when he is believed to have collapsed at about 12.40pm. His vehicle then ploughed into a wall.

Two ambulances, a paramedic manager and the air ambulances were sent to the scene and Peter Redfern, Essex Ambualnce Service operations manager, said: “The driver was collapsed and unconscious in the front. Our crews, together with help from the firefighters on scene, helped to get the man out of the car and onto the back of one of the ambulances.

“In total three members of staff carried out full resuscitation protocols as he was taken on blue lights to Colchester General Hospital.

“Medics at the hospital who were awaiting our arrival took over when we arrived. They continued on working on him for a period but despite the best efforts of everyone he died soon after arrival.”

Police said no other vehicle was involved and the road was not closed.

Earlier, motorists faced long delays yesterday after a crash on the A12 between Marks Tey and Stanway.

The crash - between a car and a lorry - happened at about 7.50am on the Ipswich bound carriageway.

An ambulance and a rapid response vehicle were sent to the scene, and paramedic, Martin Hart, said: “The two vehicles collided side on - the force of the collision spinning the car round.

“When the vehicles stopped, the car was across the front of the lorry facing the central reservation.

“Fortunately there were no serious injuries.”

The woman in the car, a 55-year-old from Witham, suffered a cut to her arm and was described as badly shaken by the experience.

She was taken to Colchester General Hospital for a check up. The lorry driver was not injured.

“This could have been a lot worse, especially as the road is so busy at that time of the morning,” said Mr Hart.

The road was closed for about 30 minutes after the accident as emergency services cleared the scene.

Traffic was reported to have stretched back to Rivenhall End after the crash.

Meanwhile, a teenage girl suffered a serious injury after being hurt in a collision with a car in Elmstead Market near Colchester.

The accident happened on the A133 outside the post office in the village.

An ambulance and a paramedic manager were sent to the scene after three calls reporting the collision shortly after 8.10am.

Clinical Operations Manager, John Nicholls, said: “The initial call said the girl, who had been on her way to catch a bus to college, was in a serious condition and was having breathing difficulties.

“When we arrived it was clear that she had been knocked out briefly.

“The car had suffered quite extensive damage to its front near side; there was a dent in the bonnet and the windscreen had two cracks on it.

“The 17-year-old, who lives locally, was in a great deal of pain.

“She had a neck collar applied and was placed on a backboard and taken to Colchester General Hospital.

“After investigation, it has been discovered that she has fractured her pelvis.

“Although this is a serious condition, there is no doubt that the injury she suffered could have been a lot worse given the damage to the car.”

Anybody who saw any of the accidents or has any information about the crashes is asked to contact Stanway Traffic Road Police on 01206 762512.