A MOTORCYCLIST was knocked unconscious today after swerving to avoid a stray dog which dashed out into a busy road in front of him.The crash happened near the junction of Bramford Road and Yarmouth Road in Ipswich just before 8.

A MOTORCYCLIST was knocked unconscious today after swerving to avoid a stray dog which dashed out into a busy road in front of him.

The crash happened near the junction of Bramford Road and Yarmouth Road in Ipswich just before 8.55am.

Witnesses said the black Alsatian emerged from the garden of a nearby house into the path of the victim.

One onlooker who saw the accident described the scene.

"I was just walking along the road and saw the dog dart across," said the man, who did not wish to be named.

"Someone tried to chase the dog and grab it but were unsuccessful."

A police spokesman said the man was reported to be unconscious by the person who called the emergency services.

The motorcyclist, who was male and believed to be in his 20s, was heading out of town when the accident occurred outside CATS garage.

After coming off his silver Peugeot motorcycle he lay motionless in the road while the Alsatian ran towards the car park of Lloyds Bank opposite.

The driver of a silver Vauxhall Vectra stopped to help the stricken man, while two passers-by stood in the road to ensure traffic avoided causing the victim further injury.

Around 10 minutes later paramedics arrived to help the man, followed a few minutes later by two police cars.

The motorcyclist was treated at the scene by the ambulance crew for around 20 minutes by which time he had regained consciousness.

He was fitted with a neck support and stretchered into the ambulance before being taken to Ipswich Hospital.

Meanwhile the owner of the black long-haired Alsatian continued to search for him and finally managed to capture the dog before any further incidents could occur.