A MOTORIST who was mysteriously found at dead at the wheel of his van which had crashed into a Stowupland bungalow was today named by police.

A MOTORIST who was mysteriously found at dead at the wheel of his van which had crashed into a Stowupland bungalow was today named by police.

Roger Lomatschinsky, 45, of Front Street, Mendlesham, was declared dead at the scene, although it is still unclear whether he died as a result of the crash.

Police believe the single-vehicle accident happened in Church Road at about lunchtime on Friday but the collision was not reported to the force until 3.10pm.

The owners of the bungalow returned home from a holiday in Yorkshire at about 5.15pm, shocked to find what had happened.

Acting sergeant Phil Smith said the van looked like it was parked at the property, set back off the main road, and so was unlikely to arouse suspicion.

“We are asking for anybody that may have seen the vehicle at any time prior to 3pm because what we don't know is when it occurred. We think it happened a lot earlier than reported,” he said.

Bungalow owners Sue and Richard Brown had been in Yorkshire for a week, dropping relatives back home after Christmas.

Mr Brown said they had been shocked to receive a call from their daughter to say there had been a “horrific” accident at their home.

He said: “It was a shock but the shock was mitigated by our daughter ringing us when we were driving down the A14.

“One of her work colleagues had called her saying there was a horrific accident at our house so she was really panicked.”

Jean Collis, the landlady of the Crown pub opposite the Brown's home, said she had seen the van at lunchtime but had assumed it was parked in front of the house.

She said: “I drove out to the shops at about 12.50pm and I saw the van but assumed it was the owners' or a relative of theirs. There was nobody lying on the floor and the van was all closed up like it was parked up.

“The porch is half demolished and the van also hit the front door. I imagine he came up the road and maybe he had a heart attack. It's all speculation at the moment.

“We just feel so sorry for his family - he was only a young chap.”

Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the white van driving in the area at any time to call Pc Gary Buss at the Serious Collisions Investigations Team on 01473 613500.