A motorbiker has become the 20th person to die on Suffolk’s roads this year, as the “disproportionate” number of bikers being killed is highlighted.

Police were called on Sunday at 10pm following reports of a collision between a silver BMW X5 and a motorbike on Eriswell Road, near Lakenheath.

This morning they announced the man, officially named as 58-year-old Malcolm Lawless from Eriswell, Suffolk, had died from his injuries after being taken to West Suffolk Hospital in a serious condition.

He is the fifth motorcyclist to die on Suffolk’s roads since January 1. Motorbikers make up just 1% of road users, but this year 25% of fatalities have been bikers.

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore said: “I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the motorcyclist tragically killed in this collision in Lakenheath.

“This tragedy sadly reminds us that Suffolk’s roads can be very dangerous for all road users.

“Sadly, evidence shows motorcyclists are particularly at risk and there is a disproportionate level of death and injury in this group.

“I will continue to work closely with road safety partners to fund and promote a wide range of initiatives focussing on all road users to make Suffolk’s roads as safe as possible.”

The four other fatal bike crashes were in Brandon on March 31, Tuddenham on April 13, Akenham on April 29, and on the A12 at Foxhall on June 21.

Sunday’s crash closed the road in both directions, at the junction with The Street at Holywell Row, and at the junction with the B1112, The Street, Lakenheath.

The road reopened this morning.

• Any witnesses or anyone with any information should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team, quoting incident reference number 427 of July 30