A MAN remains in a critical condition in hospital today after suffering serious head injuries during an incident in a rural Suffolk village.

Elliot Furniss

A MAN remains in a critical condition in hospital today after suffering serious head injuries during an incident in a rural Suffolk village.

The man, who is in his 60s, was injured as he walked his horse along the road in Monk Soham, near Framlingham, last night.

He was found lying in the road at about 7.30pm by a member of the public and was taken to Ipswich Hospital by ambulance.

Police are waiting for him to regain consciousness as they try to establish the circumstances of the incident, which is thought to have involved a passing vehicle.

Neighbours have described him as a very friendly “Geordie” who walked his horse to and from his home just outside the village to a nearby meadow every day.

Jean Harvey lives just next to the accident site and said drivers would often speed along the road, especially in the evenings.

She said: “You hear them revving up. They go up here like a devil - they really speed. I have lived here for 38 years.

“He walks it (the horse) down in the morning and then he walks it back at night. I hope he will be alright.”

When emergency services arrived on the scene they found the man unconscious and the horse nearby.

A force spokesman said: “Suffolk Police are investigating a case of head injuries to a male pedestrian in Monk Soham.

“Police want to hear from anyone who was in the area from around 7.30pm yesterday.”

Officers stayed at the scene until the early hours of the morning examining the road and are now trying to piece together what happened.

Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact Suffolk Police's Serious Collision Investigation Team on 01473 613500.