MOTORISTS who tried to save a fatally injured motorcyclist after a crash in Martlesham were praised by paramedics today.As specialist investigators were trying to determine how the tragedy occurred, it emerged passers-by gave the biker heart massage while they waited for emergency services.

MOTORISTS who tried to save a fatally injured motorcyclist after a crash in Martlesham were praised by paramedics today.

As specialist investigators were trying to determine how the tragedy occurred, it emerged passers-by gave the biker heart massage while they waited for emergency services.

The deceased is believed to be from the Colchester area and aged between 30 and 35, He was taken to Ipswich Hospital after the crash in Anson Road, near Tesco's, around 5.20pm, but subsequently died from his injuries.

Two ambulances attended the scene, but members of the public tried to revive the injured man before they arrived.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “The passers by were outstanding. It impressed me how they grouped together to take care of him. The injuries were very serious as there was a high-velocity impact.”

The motorcyclist was riding a Honda vehicle and was in collision with a Citroen car.

Suffolk police had to close nearby Gloster Road, Felixstowe Road and Anderson Road while the vehicles were recovered.

Mike Nunn, a spokesman for the force, today appealed for help with the investigation.

Mr Nunn said: “We would ask for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and contact our road policing unit at Martlesham headquarters on 01473 613500.

Two hours earlier another motorist had a lucky escape when they emerged unhurt after ploughing their vehicle into a ditch.

The accident happened on the A137 Wherstead road, near Jimmy's Farm, just outside of Ipswich, just after 3.30pm.

Police and a fire crew from Princes Street attended the scene and although an ambulance was called for it was later stood down after treatment was declined.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said they received a report of a two vehicle road traffic collision at 3.37pm, where one car had gone into a ditch.

Elsewhere traffic was held up for about 30 minutes on the A12 yesterday after a 44-tonne HGV vehicle had a tyre blow out.

Police were called to the Ipswich-bound carriageway of the road, at the Pettistree junction, at 3.20pm, where the lorry had stopped.