A CYCLIST was airlifted to hospital after a crash in Dorchester this morning (May 15).

The incident, involving the rider and a white Fiat Panda, happened in Bridport Road at around 7.35am, police said.

“Emergency services attended and the cyclist – a man aged in his 50s – was taken to Southampton Hospital by air ambulance where he remains in a serious condition. His family have been informed,” a Dorset Police spokesperson said.

A cordon and road closures were put in place around the incident to allow the emergency services to respond to the incident and for enquiries at the scene to be carried out.

Sergeant David Cotterill, of the Roads Policing Team, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the cyclist and his loved ones at this difficult time.

“We are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of this incident, and I would urge any witnesses, or anyone with relevant dashcam or other footage, to please get in touch if you have not already contacted police.

“We have reason to believe that there were other vehicles which were in the vicinity at the time the incident occurred, whose occupants may have seen what happened. We would be very keen to hear from these individuals so we can take their accounts.

“Lastly, we would like to thank members of the public for their patience and understanding while road closures were put in place so we could respond to the incident and carry out enquiries.”

Anyone with information about the Dorchester crash should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk, by email to scit@dorset.pnn.police.uk, or on 101, quoting reference 55250069396.