A WOMAN has died today after a collision with a runaway van left her pinned up against a road sign.Emergency services were called to Foxhall Road about 10.

A WOMAN has died today after a collision with a runaway van left her pinned up against a road sign.

Emergency services were called to Foxhall Road about 10.40am after reports a female pedestrian had been injured in a collision near the Nuffield Hospital.

The woman, believed to be about 30-years-old and walking her dog, is thought to have been injured when she was in collision with a white Iveco van.

No one is thought to have been driving the van at the time.

Paul Hill, a National Grid worker was working in a nearby garden when he saw the accident and tried to save the woman.

Mr Hill, from near Ipswich, said: “I was only a few metres away from where the van started and all of a sudden it started to go backwards.

“There was no one in it and I thought there would be an accident with another vehicle but the oncoming cars took avoiding action.

“The van rolled about 50metres and I saw the woman's black Labrador and then heard a loud bang.

“I went over and other witnesses said they saw a woman get trapped under the van so I got underneath and crawled over to her but I couldn't help her. She had no pulse.”

A spokeswoman for the East of England Ambulance Service Trust said: “We were called at 10.37am and attended what we thought was a cardiac arrest.

“The person was not taken to hospital and I can confirm the person was deceased.”

Police said the woman is thought to have had a heart attack following the collision but it is not known if this was the cause of death.

Acting sergeant Julian Ditcham from Suffolk police said an investigation is now underway.

He said: “We are now looking for witnesses.

“The road was closed and diversions set up and we would like to thank drivers for their cooperation.”

The road was expected to be closed for several hours between Brookhill Way and Bell Lane, Kesgrave.

Fire crews were also called to the scene by the ambulance service in a bid to release the woman.

The woman's identity has not be released as police must wait until they contact her next-of-kin.

It is not known whether she was member of staff at the hospital or if she lives in the Foxhall Road area.

Police are expected to examine the van involved in the collision to determine the cause of the accident.

It is not known where the van was parked or which direction it came from prior to the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to call Martlesham Roads Policing Unit on 01473 613500.

Did you witness the collision or do you know the victim? Call The Evening Star newsdesk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.