A motorcyclist died yesterday morning in the second serious crash in a matter of weeks on the A134 at Sudbury.
Emergency services rushed to the aid of the man, who collided with an Argos lorry between the Shawlands Retail Park roundabout and the Wyevale Garden Centre, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police are yet to officially name him or give any further details while his next-of-kin are informed.
The driver of the lorry was in his late 30s or early 40s and was taken to West Suffolk Hospital after being treated at the scene for a foot injury.
This latest tragedy on the A134 comes little more than a month after an elderly couple were airlifted to hospital after suffering serious chest injuries on almost exactly the same section of road. Last year, two men lost their lives in separate incidents along the A134 between Sudbury and Leavenheath.
“I was shocked to learn early this morning of another fatal and tragic crash on the A134,” said Sudbury’s MP James Cartlidge last night. “My sympathies go to the family of the victim and at this stage there is of course a formal process for the authorities to follow which must be allowed to take its course.
“However, as someone who lives off a part of the A134 where there have been fatal crashes, I am more than aware that some constituents will be concerned at the frequency.”
He said he had already spoken to James Finch, cabinet member for highways at Suffolk County Council, asking in any investigation attention was given to the “apparent regularity of serious incidents on this road”.
Mr Finch said he could make no comments yesterday until after the investigation but did offer his condolences to the victim’s family.
The collision took place just before 7.50am.
At the nearby Esso petrol station, employee Aaron Partridge said he was suddenly aware of a lot of blue-light activity.
“It’s the second time that’s happened there,” he said.
“I knew something was happening because there was a lot of noise going on. I heard a local farmer stop the traffic and tell them to turn around.”
Sudbury East and Waldingfield county councillor Colin Spence said the crash was a “tragedy”.
“It’s very difficult to make any comment other than I’m really sorry to learn of this,” he said. “Clearly we need to make sure there’s a proper investigation given this is the second such occurrence in a few months.”
An Argos spokesman said the lorry was driven by a DHL driver.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to the bereaved family and are cooperating fully with the police in their investigation,” he added.
The road was closed between the roundabout and the Joes Road junction for most of the day.
Anyone who saw what happened should call the serious collision investigation team on 101 quoting reference CAD 55 of September 8.
Previous incidents
Two people lost their lives on the A134 between Sudbury and Leavenheath in 2015.
William Turner, 18, from Shoeburyness, died in a crash at Marshalls Green in Assington on March 23, 2015.
John Hobson, 63, from Colchester, died in a crash at Assington on November 24, 2015
An elderly couple were airlifted to Addenbrooke’s hospital with serious chest injuries after a crash on the A134 very close to the site of yesterday’s fatal crash on July 26, 2016. Police were unable to give an update yesterday on the couple’s condition.
Published by the EADT.
