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Man dies in crash that shut Orwell Bridge

News imageJamie Niblock/BBC Traffic queues on a dual carriageway heading away from the camera. Cars and lorries are queuing. It is a grey rainy day.Jamie Niblock/BBC
There were long delays on the A14 at Ipswich due to the Orwell Bridge closure

A man has died following a collision that closed a major route in Suffolk.

Police were called by paramedics to the Orwell Bridge, which carries the A14 south of Ipswich, at 03:41 BST, after reports of a person in the westbound carriageway.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The A14 was shut in both directions between junction 56 for Wherstead and junction 57 at the Nacton interchange. At 17:47, National Highways said on X that all lanes had reopened.

News imageTraffic Cameras UK The Orwell bridge on a traffic camera. The road is empty on both sides. The river can be seen underneath.Traffic Cameras UK
The Orwell Bridge was completely closed for about 12 hours

Drivers reported gridlock conditions throughout the centre of Ipswich, which began in the morning rush hour and continued throughout the day.

National Highways said police worked to release traffic that was stuck within the closure area.

News imageJamie Niblock/BBC A drone image above fields where a dual carriageway cuts between them. There is heavy traffic on one side of the road.Jamie Niblock/BBC
Queues of traffic were reported on the A14 on the approach to the closure

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