Motorcyclist killed in horrific accident

By Jonathan Barnes

A MOTORCYCLIST has been killed and a car driver left fighting for her life after an horrific road accident.

The male rider, from Colchester, collided with a car, driven by a woman from Brantham, on the A137 at Tattingstone, near Ipswich.

Police said the head-on collision, which happened at 5.45pm yesterday near the turn-off to Tattingstone village, had killed the motorcyclist instantly.

The car driver was heavily trapped in her Hyundai vehicle and had to be cut free by firefighters from Holbrook and Ipswich.

She was being treated in Ipswich Hospital last night for what police described as potentially life-threatening injuries.

The A137 - which is being used by buses replacing trains while the rail track is closed between Ipswich and Manningtree - was blocked for several hours last night as crash investigators surveyed the scene. Neither of the crash victims has been named by police.

Suffolk police sealed off the road after the accident, but came in for criticism from one villager for not setting up traffic diversions.

David Hallows, who lives beside the A137 in Tattingstone, and his neighbour took it upon themselves to re-direct the traffic.

They placed red warning triangles in the road and told drivers to turn around in the driveway to Mr Hallows' home.

He said: "My neighbour heard the crash and we have been directing traffic every since. Surely it is the police's job to tell people to turn around and go another way or are we being too conscientious helping traffic?"

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "We appreciate his efforts. The accident came at an extremely busy time and our units were stretched. We got to the scene as soon as possible."

Police appealed for any witnesses to the accident to contact them on 01473 613500.

jonathan.barnes@eadt.co.uk