A CYCLIST was seriously injured while out riding between Benridge and Pigdon near Morpeth.

The 63-year-old man was taken to hospital at around midday on Saturday after he was found unconscious lying in the road.

His condition was described as ‘critical but stable’.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Enquiries are ongoing to ascertain how the 63-year-old cyclist came to be in the road, and officers are especially keen to trace an elderly couple who stopped at the scene and tried to call for an ambulance but left before they had spoken to police.

“They are thought to be from the Seaton Sluice area and were heading to Rothbury.

“Officers would also like to speak with anyone who might have information or dashcam footage taken in the area from around that time.”

To help call police on 101 quoting reference number 1136-160-219.