A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving after a young child died following a collision involving a van on a playing field in the Whitehouse area of Ipswich.

Police, paramedics and an air ambulance were called following reports a vehicle had been in collision with a child in a field in Lovetofts Drive at just before 12.45pm.

A Suffolk police spokesman said: “It appears that immediately after the collision the child was put in to the vehicle and it was driven to Landmark House, where police officers attempted to resuscitate the child.”

The child, believed to be an infant boy, was pronounced dead at Landmark House a short time later.

Police cordoned off the area where the incident is thought to have occurred, close to caravans on the field, and a cordon has also been put around the vehicle at Landmark House.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) said ambulances and the East Anglian Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

EEAST spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “First and foremost our thoughts are with the family of the child involved at this very tragic time.

“Following extensive treatment at the roadside by land and air ambulance crews, the child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses are sought. Call police on 101 to help.