UPDATED: MILITARY ROAD SMASH SEES MOTORCYCLIST AIRLIFTED TO MAINLAND HOSPITAL

A motorcyclist has been airlifted to Southampton General Hospital with potentially serious injuries following a crash between a motorcycle and a car on Military Road at Freshwater. Emergency services were called to the scene overlooking Freshwater Bay at around 18:25 this evening (Monday) to reports that a motorcyclist had been thrown from their bike after colliding with the rear of a Citroen Nemo. The motorcycle has come to a stop off the road in the driveway of a residential property opposite Freshwater Golf Club. By chance, Needles Coastguard Rescue Team was travelling just behind the incident as it happened – with the team’s volunteers able to provide immediate casualty care. The Coastguard truck has not been directly involved in the collision. Due to the severity of the situation, the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance was scrambled to the scene, landing at around 18:55. The air ambulance has since flown the rider directly to Southampton for further assessment and treatment. A passenger in the Citroen has been taken to St Mary’s Hospital by the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service for a check up. The female driver has escaped injury. The ambulance service mobilised a total of 2 ambulance crews, a critical care paramedic and an operational commander to the incident. Military Road remains closed in both directions between Compton and Freshwater as Police await an update on the rider’s condition. Motorists should divert via Middle Road in both directions. UPDATE @ 21:32 – The Collision Investigation Unit from the mainland has been called in to conduct a forensic examination of the crash scene. The road is expected to remain closed for several hours. UPDATE TUESDAY – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has confirmed that a man in his 50s sustained serious injuries in yesterday’s crash. He remains in hospital today.