AN INVESTIGATION was launched last night after a man died in an accident on a privately-owned former American airbase in Suffolk.The man, who has not been named, died after a sporting event had taken place at the former Bentwaters airbase at Rendlesham, near Woodbridge, yesterday.

AN INVESTIGATION was launched last night after a man died in an accident on a privately-owned former American airbase in Suffolk.

The man, who has not been named, died after a sporting event had taken place at the former Bentwaters airbase at Rendlesham, near Woodbridge, yesterday.

The incident happened at about 7.50pm when the man was in collision with a bus on the site. It is understood the fatality happened when the event organisers were clearing up.

Few details about the accident were revealed publicly as the emergency services continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

The media was denied access to the scene of the accident which happened on the former technical side of the huge airbase.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said: "Earlier this evening a male was fatally injured as a result of a collision with a vehicle and was pronounced dead at Heath Road hospital in Ipswich. The gentleman had been airlifted by the RAF search and rescue Sea King helicopter direct from the scene.

''The paramedics, police service and fire service all attended. We do not have the details to divulge. The next of kin are being made aware.''

A spokesman for the search and rescue service at Wattisham Airfield said: "There was some event there today. We landed by the runway and picked up the casualty and transferred him to the Heath Road hospital."

The Kemball family, of Wantisden, bought more than 900 acres of the former American airfield in 2001.

Bill Kemball said last night there had been a two-day event at the airfield called East Coast Extreme.

''It was some sort of driving, sports and that sort of thing. Everybody had gone home, all the exhibitors and spectators, and the event had been finished for some time. There was some sort of accident while they were clearing up,'' said Mr Kemball.

Police officers worked at the scene late last night. Firemen from Woodbridge, Orford and Princes Street, Ipswich, were called to the accident at 7.50pm.

Suffolk police is appealing for any witnesses to contact the investigating officer, Pc 143 Dave Taylor, on 01473 613500.