A FATAL accident involving an 81-year-old man has prompted residents to call for motorists to slow down.

A FATAL accident involving an 81-year-old man has prompted residents to call for motorists to slow down.

The elderly man died last night when he was in collision with a motorbike outside Ipswich Hospital.

It is believed he had attempted to cross Heath Road, close to the entrance of Ipswich Hospital, at about 6.20pm yesterday when the collision with the Red Honda motorcycle happened. The motorbike then collided with a telegraph pole and a wall.

Although the cause of the accident is not yet known and speed may not have been a factor, residents of Heath Road claim motorists need to slow down, and some believe that the straight road has become a type of speed track.

Ian Scopes, 32, said: “A lot of cars and motorbikes go down this road very fast. I have got two young children so I am always wary of the traffic. I'm surprised it has taken this long for an accident to happen. You can hear cars and bikes accelerate from the traffic lights so by the time they pass here, they are travelling at quite a speed.”

The pensioner, who lived in the town, was taken to hospital following the incident but died shortly afterwards, at 7pm.

He will not be named until all next of kin have been informed of the tragedy. Investigations are continuing and an inquest will take place in due course.

The motorcyclist, a 37-year-old man from Ipswich, was also taken to hospital but his injuries were not thought to be serious.

Police are keen to hear from anyone who saw the crash and said that although it happened at a busy time, not many people have come forward with information.

A police spokesman said: “At 6.20pm yesterday police were called to a collision in Heath Road. A Honda 1000cc motorbike driven by a 37-year-old man was in collision with an 81-year-old pedestrian.

“He was taken to hospital where he later died.

“We want to hear from anyone who saw the crash so we can find out what happened. We know the man was in the road when the collision happened.

“We did not get many people coming forward so we are asking for witnesses as it was busy at that time.”

Traffic queues built up as the road was closed for several hours while an investigation was carried out and diversions were put in place. It reopened shortly after 9pm.

Anyone with information should call Pc Beth Harper at the road's policing unit on 01473 613500.

Did you know the man and would you like to pay tribute to him? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk