A MAN suffered a fractured skull and was arrested on suspicion of traffic offences after his quad bike collided with a car.

The man, in his early 20s, was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital following the accident, during which, it is believed, his head smashed into the car windscreen.

Barton Street, off Haughton Road, Darlington, was closed for 15 minutes while the wreckage from the collision was cleared on Monday evening.

The man was initally unconsciousness at the scene, but when he regained consciousness, he failed a police drink-drive breath test.

Police were called to the incident at the junction of Barton Street and Allan Street at 6.53pm.

Police arrested the man on suspicion of a number of motoring offences.

He was taken to hospital by ambulance, where he is being treated for a fractured skull.

It is understood he was not wearing a crash helmet at the time of the incident, although it is not a legal requirement for people riding quad bikes.

Acting Inspector Gavin Musgrave said: “His head made contact with the windscreen of the car. He was not wearing a helmet, in fact you’re not required to wear one by law on a quad bike. We are classing this as a serious accident.”

Sergeant Phil Grieve, of Darlington police, said: “The driver of the quad bike was unconscious at the time, but regained consciousness and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital. He provided a positive breath sample and is under arrest.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 0345-60- 60-365.

Sgt Grieve said: “Some people stopped to give assistance at the scene, but then moved on. We would particularly like to speak to them.”

■ Last year, a six-year-old boy from Darlington fractured his skull in an incident involving a quad bike in a field off the A66. The boy was on the quad bike without a helmet when it collided with a motorbike.