Cyclist airlifted after Market Drayton crash

A cyclist was airlifted to hospital today after colliding with a car in Market Drayton, forcing the closure of a busy road and causing rush-hour traffic chaos.

The 32-year-old man, who has not been named, was taken to the University Hospital North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent.

Emergency services said the man was treated at the scene by paramedics for suspected head, abdominal and pelvic injuries.

It happened at about 7.30am on the Prospect Road and Cheshire Street roundabout in the town.

The incident caused traffic chaos during rush hour as police closed the road both ways between the Cheshire Street and Cemetery Road junctions to enable emergency services to work at the scene.

Traffic was sent along the bypass.

Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, said: "The collision appears to have been between a car and a push bike.

"It was reported to us by the ambulance service at 7.30am and it happened outside the Morrisons supermarket on Prospect Road."

He appealed for witnesses to contact Market Drayton police on 0300 333 3000.

Suzie Fothergill, West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman, said: "A 32-year-old man on the push bike was treated at the scene and immobilised before being flown by Midlands Air Ambulance to the University Hospital North Staffordshire."

Plans were initially made for the air ambulance land on the nearby Morrisons car park.

But in the end the helicopter landed on a nearby sports field, Miss Fothergill said.