A cyclist suffered broken ribs and a fractured spine after he was involved in a crash with a lorry on the A120.

The 61-year-old man from Marks Tey was travelling towards Colchester from Coggeshall at around 1.25pm last Thursday, April 5, when the accident happened.

The road was closed in both directions as a result and the air ambulance was called to the scene.

The accident happened in Surrex, near to Coggeshall. The man was later taken to Colchester hospital.

The driver of the lorry, a 25-year-old man, was reported for careless driving.

Essex Police said the cyclist avoided life changing injuries thanks to his helmet.

Investigating officer Pc Andrew Sumner, of Stanway Roads Policing Unit, said: “I spoke to paramedics at the scene who insisted that man’s injuries could have been life-changing had it not been for his helmet.

Braintree and Witham Times:

“The back of the victim’s helmet clearly shows the damage it sustained after hitting the ground.

“This incident emphasises the importance of wearing a helmet, they really can be the difference between life and death.”