WITNESSES are being asked to come forward after a cyclist was airlifted to hospital after riding into the back of a car in Richmond.

North Yorkshire Police is appealing for anyone who saw the incident in Maison Dieu B6271 at 11.45am on Tuesday, May 3, or the cyclist beforehand, to come forward.

It involved a red Honda Civic being driven towards Brompton on Swale, and a red and white cycle travelling in the same direction, which went into the back of the Honda.

A man in his 60s from the Darlington area sustained serious injuries and was taken to James Cook University Hospital by Yorkshire Air Ambulance, where he remains in a critical condition.

The driver of the Honda, a man in his 80s from Richmond, was uninjured. The road was closed for three hours to enable police to investigate the scene.

A police spokesman said: “We are appealing for any witnesses to the collision or anyone who saw either the Honda or the cycle before the collision to contact police.

“The cyclist was wearing a yellow-coloured top at the time and is believed to have travelled through Richmond from the direction of Gilling West.”

Officers are particularly keen to trace the driver of a light-coloured box van or lorry which was travelling into Richmond from the direction of Brompton on Swale at the time.

The driver may not be aware of the collision but may be able to assist with the investigation.

Witnesses are asked to contact TC Don Wright of the Thirsk Roads Policing Group on 101, selecting option 2, and quoting reference 12160076521.