Cyclist seriously injured in Prees Heath crash

A cyclist suffered serious head and chest injuries after a collision with a car in Shropshire.

The man, who is in his 60s, was airlifted to hospital yesterday. His condition was described as critical.

The crash on the A49 northbound dual carriageway at Prees Heath, near Whitchurch, left the road blocked for nearly four hours. It happened near the Raven Hotel at about 10.45am.

An ambulance, a paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, together with the Midlands Air Ambulance attended the scene. The man was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire trauma unit in Stoke-on-Trent.

Steve Parry, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman, said: "The cyclist was immobilised with the use of neck collar and placed on a spinal board before being airlifted."

The road was closed until 2.30pm.