A MAN who died when his car left the road, caught fire and then exploded in the early hours of this morning has been named.

Anthony White, 58, from Falcon Drive in Brandon was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash on the A143 at Pakenham this morning.

The victim seems to have lost control of the silver Ford Fiesta he was driving while travelling west-bound on the A143 and left the road at 3.48am.

A passing motorist called emergency services, saying the car had left the A143, gone up a bank and was on fire.

The caller then managed to drag the man from the car before it exploded.

Mr White was taken to West Suffolk Hospital but later declared dead at the scene.

Mystery surround the cause of the crash, which involved only one vehicle, in which the driver was the only passenger.

Mr White’s family has been informed.

As a result of the incident, the A143 was closed in both directions between B1106 Mill Road and A1088 Stow Lane while collision investigators carried out their enquiries and the car was recovered.

The road was closed for six hours before it was re-opened at 9.15am.

Any witnesses are urged to contact Pc Terry Harvey at the Bury Roads Policing Unit on 01284 774100.