NEIGHBOURS of a blind man who died after he was involved in a collision with a car have spoken of their shock at his death.

David Wright, 74, of Gainsborough Drive, Lowestoft, passed away on Monday night at the James Paget University Hospital after he and his wife Pauline were involved in a collision on the town’s Yarmouth Road outside the Foxburrow Beefeater pub and restaurant.

It is believed Mr Wright and his wife had been to a meal with their son and two grandchildren at the Foxburrow before the collision with the blue Renault Megane car happened before 9pm.

Yesterday Mrs Wright was due to be transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridgeshire from the James Paget University Hospital after suffering serious leg injuries.

And yesterday afternoon neighbours of Mr and Wrs Wright spoke of their shock on hearing about the tragedy that had struck the family.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “He was a retired architect and a highly-intelligent man. They were a lovely couple. I am absolutely shocked to hear what happened to him.”

Another neighbour, a woman aged 82 and who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: “He was an absolutely wonderful man and the way he would walk into town with his dog was absolutely marvellous.

“I really can’t believed what has happened to him and his wife – it is very sad.”

Mr Wright and Mrs Wright were involved in the collision with the Lowestoft-bound car after the three other family members they were with had crossed the A12 Yarmouth Road safely.

After Monday night’s collision, staff from the Foxburrow called the emergency services and gave first aid to Mr and Mrs Wright and stopped traffic.

Police, firefighters, ambulance crews and the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service were called out to deal with the aftermath of the collision.

Yesterday morning the 27-year-old female driver of the Renault Megane, who is from the Lowestoft area, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. She was bailed pending further enquiries and is due to return to the Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre on April 7.

Witnesses to the collision should call Sergeant Julian Ditcham at Suffolk Police on 101.