A 24-year-old man who suffered serious head and chest injuries in a two-vehicle collision near Jimmy’s Farm was helped by three members of the public before paramedics arrived at the scene, it has emerged.

East Anglian Daily Times: The A14 is congested in both directions due to an accident near Jimmy's Farm in Wherstead.The A14 is congested in both directions due to an accident near Jimmy's Farm in Wherstead. (Image: Sarah Lucy brown)

Ambulance bosses have praised the work of the group who immediately got to work when the incident, on the A137 between Jimmy’s Farm and the A14, took place, at about 4.30pm on Tuesday.

The incident involved a Ford Fiesta and a VW Caddy van and paramedics, police, firefighters and the Herts Air Ambulance and the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service (SARS) were sent to scene.

The 24-year-old man in the Ford Fiesta was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in a critical condition.

The second man, 25, who was driving the VW van, was taken to Ipswich Hospital with spinal injuries and bruising – his injuries are not thought to be life threatening.

Paramedic officer Belinda Jackson, who attended the scene, praised the work of the three people who helped the man.

She said: “The man was trapped in a car and three members of the public managed to reach him to open up his airway so that he could breathe. We had a lot of experts at the scene who did a terrific job but this was a significant help.”

The incident caused major traffic delays for rush-hour motorists in the Ipswich area as the road had to be closed while the incident was dealt with.

Traffic was backed up to the Nacton Interchange on the A14. The road was re-opened at 8.30pm.

Police are appealing for anyone with information, or who saw either of the vehicles in the moments before the crash, to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team at Suffolk police by dialling 101.

Sadly, the 24-year-old man later died of his injuries. More details here.