Police appeal for witness after cyclist is injured (From Craven Herald)

Police appeal for witness after cyclist is injured

3:49pm Monday 23rd January 2012 in News

Police are appealing for a vital witness to come forward after a cyclist was seriously injured at Barden.

The cyclist, a man believed to be from the West Yorkshire area, appeared to lose control of his bike and hit a stone wall near Barden reservoir at around 11.30am today (Monday).

A motorist who had followed the cycle down the hill towards Embsay stopped at the scene to administer first aid. However, he left the scene shortly after the arrival of paramedics without leaving his details.

Officers are keen to speak to the motorist, who is described as a man aged in his mid 60s with grey hair. He may have information crucial to the police investigation and is urged to come forward as soon as possible.

Traffic Constable Rob Roberts, of North Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Group, said: “It is essential that we piece together exactly what happened and I am urging any witnesses to come forward.

"The motorist who was directly behind the cyclist and stopped to help him will potentially have information that can really help the investigation and I urge him to come forward.”

The cyclist was taken via air ambulance to Leeds General Infirmary with serious injuries.

The road is currently closed between the junction for the B6160 and Embsay as police conduct their investigations into the incident.

Anyone who can help officers with their enquiries is urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 2 – and ask for TC Rob Roberts, quoting reference number NYP-23012012-0144.