A14 eastbound between Bury St Edmunds and Thurston remains shut after fatal crash

The A14 near Bury St Edmunds remains closed after a fatal crash.

The road was shut eastbound between junction 43 at Bury St Edmunds and junction 46 at Thurston following the three-vehicle collision, involving two lorries and a van, near the roadworks. Traffic into Bury St Edmunds was gridlocked and the carriageway reopened at 1.15pm.

Police received a report of a crash at just after 6pm yesterday on the eastbound carriageway.

The 53-year-old male driver of the van was declared dead at the scene.

One of the lorry drivers was taken to West Suffolk Hospital as a precaution. The other driver suffered no injuries.

A man in his 50s has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning, where he remains.

Fire and ambulance crews were also called to the scene, as was the air ambulance.

Due to planned overnight roadworks, the westbound was closed between junction 51 at Needham Market and junction 45 at Blackthorpe.

The following diversion routes were in place:

Eastbound

Exit the A14 eastbound at junction 43 (Bury St Edmunds) and join the A143 through Great Barton until the A1088 roundabout at Ixworth.

At the roundabout, take the fourth exit and continue on the A1088 through Stowlangtoft and Norton to then re-join the A14 eastbound at junction 47 (Woolpit).

Westbound

Exit the A14 westbound at junction 51 and continue on the A140 through Little Stonham, Brockford Street, Stoke Ash and Brome to the A143 roundabout at Scole.

At the roundabout, take the first exit onto the A143 and continue through Wortham, Ixworth and Great Barton to then re-join the A43 westbound at Bury St Edmunds.

The eastbound carriageway of the A14 remains closed and is expected to remain so for some time.

The westbound carriageway reopened shortly before 6.15am today.