Tractor driver seriously injured in collision with lorry
4th August 2023
A man driving a tractor was airlifted to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge having sustained serious injuries following a collision with a lorry on the A140 near Little Stonham this Wednesday (2nd August).
Stock photo for illustration purposes only.
Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision involving a tractor and a lorry near the A1120 and Angel Hill junctions in Little Stonham.
Suffolk police officers were called to the scene just before 12:40pm where the casualties were being attended by locals before handing over to the emergency services, counting one ambulance, two Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, two ambulance officer vehicles and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance.
The driver of the tractor, a man aged in his 30s, was airlifted to Addenbrooke’s hospital having sustained potentially life-threatening injuries. The driver of the lorry, a man also in his 30s, also sustained injuries and was transported by road ambulance to Ipswich Hospital.
The condition of the drivers is currently unknown.
Among the first witnesses to arrive to the scene was farmer and conservationist Graham Denny, who alerted the emergency services and provided first aid to the tractor driver.
In a Twitter post, he described approaching the smashed tractor as ‘heart stopping’ and said all those present were ‘in shock and running on adrenaline’.
Working in collaboration with strangers, Mr Denny stabilised the man who appeared to be in critical condition and was covered in diesel leaking from the tractor, meanwhile speaking to the switchboard and ensuring traffic is diverted off the A140 to allow easy access for emergency services.
After handing over to a paramedic, Mr Denny attempted to identify the man by contacting farmers in the local area and was eventually able to uncover his identity using the number plate of the tractor. He continued assisting at the scene and directing traffic until 8pm.
The A140 was blocked in both directions between Coddenham Crossroads and Mendlesham, whilst emergency services attended to the collision and police investigated the scene. The road reopened at approximately 11:50pm.
Suffolk Police are urging any witnesses to the collision, any motorists with dash cam footage and anybody with information to come forward by contacting the Roads and Armed Policing Team and quoting CAD 137 of 2nd August.
Information can also be provided by filling out the online form here.
