Biker airlifted to hospital after smash

A motorcyclist in his 20s was flown to hospital with a serious leg injury after his bike hit a car and a wall.

Eyewitnesses say they saw the bike hit a speed ramp and launch into the air before hitting a wall and a car in Stafford Street, Market Drayton, at about 1.45pm yesterday.

The Midlands Air Ambulance from Cosford took the man to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

The incident caused the road to be closed for about two hours which caused delays and slow traffic westbound between the A529 Longlands Lane junction and the A529 Shropshire Street junction.

Shopkeepers said they heard a big bang. An eyewitness, who did not wish to be named, said: "We saw the bike in the air before it ended up in the middle of the road."

Richard Ewels, spokesman for West Mercia Police, said: "A black Aprilia motorcycle and silver Volvo estate were in collision.

"Stafford Street was closed for about two hours. Damage was also caused to a building along the street."

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: "A man in his 20s had an isolated leg injury which was dressed.

"He was given pain relief at the scene, was immobilised with the use of a spinal board and neck collar and was flown to the new Major Trauma Centre at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for further specialist treatment."