A man was airlifted to hospital today with suspected spinal injuries after a crash on the A12 near Stratford St Mary

A MAN in his 50s was airlifted to hospital with suspected spinal injuries today after a crash left the A12 near Stratford St Mary closed for nearly two hours.

An air ambulance flew a doctor to treat the man at the scene of the crash which was on the East Bergholt side of Stratford St Mary.

Inspector Jim Gooding, a spokesman for Suffolk Police, said a report of a collision on the Ipswich-bound carriageway was received just before1.50pm.

Both lanes of the carriageway were blocked as an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle and the helicopter with a doctor on board were despatched to help the injured man.

Three fire crews, two from Colchester and one from Ipswich, used specialist cutting equipment and a winch to free the man who was trapped in a Hyundai car.

Inspector Gooding said before the emergency services arrived, a number people had left their vehicles in an attempt to try and help the stricken man.

It is believed he was the only person in the car at the time of the crash.

The casualty was flown to Colchester Hospital, with the doctor attending to him through his journey on the East Anglian Air Ambulance helicopter.

The carriageway was re-opened just before 3.40pm.

During the time the road was blocked long tailbacks of traffic built-up tailing back towards Colchester. Some drivers sought alternative routes in a bid to avoid the congestion.