A SCOOTER rider was critically injured yesterday after he collided with a car and became trapped underneath.

Firefighters freed the man and he was rushed to hospital following the collision on the A178 Seaton Carew Road, in Billingham.

A spokesman for the Great North Air Ambulance Service said the 47-year-old had suffered multiple injuries and was seriously injured.

"He was anaesthetised at scene and given blood by the trauma team before being transferred the short distance to James Cook Hospital by road ambulance," the spokesman added.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman appealed for witnesses to the incident.

She said: "The collision took place at around 4.15pm on Tuesday 30th June involving a black Vauxhall Corsa and a Lambretta scooter on the A178, south of Huntsman Drive in Billingham.

"The 46-year-old scooter rider was taken to James Cook University Hospital with internal injuries and a fractured vertebrae. He is currently described as being in a ‘stable and comfortable’ condition.

"Officers would like to trace any witnesses to the collision, and in particular the driver of a black pick-up vehicle, possibly a Mitsubishi, which was believed to have been in front of the Corsa."

The road was closed in both directions while emergency crews worked at the scene.

Any witnesses are asked to contact PC Amanda Stokes from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit on the non-emergency number 101, quoting event number 111138.