A SUFFOLK bus driver was arrested today on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a motorist was killed in Stowmarket.A 47-year-old man was taken to Bury St Edmunds police station after his single-decker bus was in collision with a Citroen ZX Advantage in Newton Road.

A SUFFOLK bus driver was arrested today on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a motorist was killed in Stowmarket.

A 47-year-old man was taken to Bury St Edmunds police station after his single-decker bus was in collision with a Citroen ZX Advantage in Newton Road.

The man currently under arrest is from Bury St Edmunds, said a spokesman for Suffolk police.

The tragedy occurred at 10.05am as the number 86 First bus was heading towards Old Newton on its return run from Stowmarket to Bury St Edmunds

The car driver, a male in his 50's and from Stowupland, was pronounced dead at the scene within half an hour of the crash taking place. He was the only occupant of the car.

His Citroen was coming from the Old Newton direction when the head-on collision took place.

The bus driver suffered minor cuts to his nose in the crash, but did not require hospital treatment. Two of his passengers, said to be teenagers, were also said to have sustained minor lacerations.

Mary Kerridge, 75, of Newton Road, witnessed the immediate aftermath of the accident. She said: "I came out of my drive and the bus went past me as I came out. I didn't really hear much but there were several cars in the area and many of them stopped at the scene.

"I wasn't very near when the actual crash happened and I'm glad I wasn't really. I didn't go and have a look at what had happened because it isn't very pleasant."

Acting Sergeant Bryan Scanlan, said there were a number of witnesses to the collision who had been spoken to by the police.

Ian Bowell, Assistant Divisional Officer of Suffolk Fire Service, said the deceased driver was trapped in the wreckage and firefighters were waiting to free him at around noon today.

He said: "The driver was pronounced dead at the scene by a doctor. In this situation the police take charge and they carry out their investigations to find out how the accident occurred. Once that investigation has been carried out we will free the driver from the car.

"Our only involvement is to make sure the scene is as safe as possible and to assist the police in the removal of the deceased person."

The road was blocked throughout the morning and a police spokeswoman said officers expected it to be cut off well into the afternoon as the investigation continued. Diversions were set up to avoid the area.

Tom Oxley, spokesperson for First in the Eastern Counties said, "There were five passengers on board who have been taken to the police station to provide statements.

"First have already launched their own investigation as a matter of procedure, and will work with the police with their investigations.

"Safety is our priority as a company so this incident is of utmost concern."