An elderly tractor driver is said to be in a life-threatening condition following a crash with a car on the A12 just outside Ipswich.

The tractor and a Volkswagen Golf collided on the northbound carriageway near to Bucklesham at 9.24am.

Both the tractor driver, described as “elderly”, and the 25-year-old car driver, have been taken to Ipswich Hospital with head and back injuries.

The tractor driver is said to be in a life-threatening condition and has undergone surgery.

It is understood the car driver had a “minor” head injury.

A spokesman for Suffolk police said both men are from the local area.

The tractor was believed to be a David Brown vintage tractor that had no cab and was towing a trailer.

It is understood that this type of vehicle has a maximum speed of 12mph.

A witness, who wishes not to be named, to the aftermath of the crash said: “We went down that road a while after it happened and it was absolutely horrendous, I don’t know how anyone survived. Thank goodness there was no one else involved.”

The A12 was closed northbound between Seven Hills and the Newbourne Road junction until 3.30pm for recovery and police investigation work.