Biker in collision flown to hospital

A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital with a fractured leg and chest injuries after being thrown into a ditch in a collision with a car.

The man, who has not been named but who is in his 50s, suffered the injuries in the crash outside Coton Oaks service station, Coton, near Whitchurch, at about 10.15am yesterday.

He was given first aid by firefighters and was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire by air ambulance.

Fire crews from Whitchurch and Prees, an incident commander from Shrewsbury, a rescue tender from Wellington and a ranger from Whitchurch were called to the scene after the bike caught fire.

A hose reel jet was used to put out the blaze and the stop came at 10.39am.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "The motorcyclist, a man in his 50s, had come off his bike following the collision and ended up in a ditch.

"He had a fractured leg, a chest injury and abrasions. He was flown to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further assessment and treatment."

Watch manager Tony Peck, from Prees fire station, said the man was lucky he had been wearing protective clothing.

He said: "He was kitted out with all the leathers and protective equipment which actually saved him to be honest because he went down the road quite a way."