Tractor driver in intensive care after road crash

A tractor driver is in intensive care in hospital following a road traffic accident in Suffolk.

The driver, a man aged in his 30s, was driving a New Holland T7.230 tractor that was involved in a collision with an articulated lorry at the A140/A1120 junction at Little Stonham on Thursday (3 August).

Local farmer Graham Denny was in his farmyard at nearby Brewery Farm getting his machinery ready to go harvesting when he heard a “massive bang”.

See also: 14 ways to stay safe this harvest ^[1]

Mr Denny raced to the scene and immediately alerted the emergency services on his mobile phone.

He said the driver appeared to have been thrown from the cab and was lying face down on the ground 25-30ft away from the wreckage of the tractor.

“As I approached my immediate concern was for the driver, who was motionless. He was clearly in a serious condition, but he started to make some movements.

“By the time I got to his side, other people were there helping him, including a lady who was trained in first aid.”

Minutes before the accident, there was a heavy downpour and the impact of the collision had caused the diesel tank to rupture. As a result, the diesel and runoff was cascading down the road to the area of the injured driver.

Police and paramedics arrived on the scene about 15 minutes after Mr Denny’s 999 call. The medics took over the care of the first aider and the driver received further treatment at the scene.

Flown to hospital

He was taken by air ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious injuries. His condition is unknown.

The lorry driver, who was also aged in his 30s, was treated for minor injuries and shock and was taken to Ipswich Hospital by land ambulance. The road was closed until 11.50pm on Wednesday while police carried out a full investigation.

Mr Denny said the accident had made him realise the importance of having identification on all farm vehicles.

Suffolk Police is appealing for any witnesses to come forward with information, quoting reference CAD 137 of 2 August.

Police are keen to hear from any witnesses to the collision, any motorists with dashcam footage and anybody who witnessed the manner of driving of both vehicles.

References

1. ^{^} 14 ways to stay safe this harvest  (www.fwi.co.uk)