A BIKE rider is in hospital with severe injuries when he hit a wooden pole.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 48-year-old man was seriously injured following a collision in Chorley today on Brooke Street at 10.25am.

The man riding the bicycle had collided with a wooden telegraph pole before falling to the floor suffering serious head and back injuries. The rider, from Chorley, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment and is currently in a critical condition.

The road was closed for more than three hours while accident investigators attended the scene.

Police are appealing for information and are keen to speak to anyone who saw what happened.

Sgt Craig Booth, of Lancashire Police’s Tactical Operations, said: “We are appealing for witnesses after a man was left with serious injuries following a collision in Chorley today.

“The rider is in a critical condition and it is crucial we establish exactly what has happened.

“If you can help us please come forward.”

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or email 2967@lancashire.pnn.police.uk quoting log 0556 of May 9.