A man is fighting for his life in hospital after falling from a property – thought to be a clothing shop – in Ipswich’s town centre.

Ipswich Star: A man fell from a property, believed to be outdoor clothing store Hawkshead, in the Buttermarket in Ipswich.A man fell from a property, believed to be outdoor clothing store Hawkshead, in the Buttermarket in Ipswich.

Police were called at around 4.45am on Wednesday by a key holder at a business premises in the Buttermarket who said a man had been found at the rear of the property with serious injuries.

It is understood the man was found at the rear of outdoor clothing store Hawkshead. It is also believed the man fell from the same shop.

Police said the key holder was called to the business premises following an alarm activation. The force spokesman said the key holder found the premises were insecure before discovering a man on the ground outside with head injuries.

The man, who is believed to be in his 40s, was taken to Ipswich Hospital by land ambulance. Police said he was in a critical condition after sustaining life-threatening injuries.

Ipswich Star: A door in Dial Lane has been taped off as a crime scene by police. The door opens to an alleyway that leads to Hawkshead.A door in Dial Lane has been taped off as a crime scene by police. The door opens to an alleyway that leads to Hawkshead. (Image: Archant)

Speaking at midday, a force spokesman said the man was being transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

The premises have been secured while police carry out an investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police are not commenting on whether the man is being treated as a burglar.

Scenes of crime officers have gathered forensic evidence from both inside and outside Hawkshead, police have confirmed.

It is thought officers have examined CCTV images to form part of their investigation as well.

A spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service said: “We were called at 4.46am to a report of a man who had fallen from a height in the Buttermarket in Ipswich.

“We sent one ambulance which arrived in six minutes and an ambulance officer. We took the patient – a man – to Ipswich Hospital in a critical condition.”

The ambulance spokesman said it was not known what type of injuries had been sustained, although police earlier said head injuries were sustained.

Hawkshead is currently closed to customers. A message at the shop says: “We are temporarily closed. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Meanwhile, a door in nearby Dial Lane has been taped off as a crime scene by police. The door opens to an alleyway that leads to Hawkshead.