A CYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with a serious chest injury after colliding with a car on the notorious Market Hill.

Emergency services rushed to the scene in Maldon after receiving multiple reports from the public.

A spokesman for the ambulance service said: “We received a call to reports of a road traffic collision involving a cyclist and a car.

“We dispatched a rapid response vehicle, ambulance crew, and air ambulance from the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust.

“Medics treated a man, believed to be in his 50s, for a head injury and serious chest injury.

“He was sedated at the scene and airlifted to The Royal London Hospital for further care in a serious condition.”

Residents saw an air ambulance circling around the area before landing in the only available spot on the nearby river bank next to the Tesco store in Fullbridge.

Neil Bresler, who lives near Market Hill, said: “The helicopter was flying around for quite some time, it couldn’t find anywhere to land before settling in the river bank. There seemed to be a lot of commotion.”

Following the incident, Market Hill was closed while paramedics treated the man by the roadside.

Karen Blighton was travelling through Maldon an hour after the accident, and praised another cyclist who was directing traffic around the scene.

She said: “We drove down the High Street.

“There was a cyclist at top of Market Hill and he was diverting all traffic and stopping people from going down the hill.

“The police I presume had already placed the sign there but it wasn’t enough, it needed someone to direct people away otherwise they would have kept going without realising.

“He stood in that heat and looked so hot and bothered, I hope the shops or someone helped him with drinks.

“He really stepped up, if it hadn’t been for him Maldon High Street would have been an absolute nightmare that morning.”

Maldon Town Mayor Jeanette Stilts said: “I am pleased with the community effort and the work of the emergency services.

“We, as a town council, are saddened to hear about the severe accident.

“We have repeatedly asked Essex County Council for traffic calming measures on Market Hill.

“We repeatedly ask every time we are asked to make recommendations.”

The incident happened at 10.10am on Sunday.

Emergency services were scrambled to Market Hill, Maldon on Sunday morning after a road traffic collision between a car and a cyclist.

Anyone with information should contact Stanway Roads Policing Unit on 101.