A MOTORCYCLIST has suffered serious injuries on the way back from a air ambulance fundraiser for the second time in three years.

Both sides of the A12 were shut at Marks Tey after the crash shortly before 4.30pm on Sunday as the Essex Air Ambulance was forced to land to treat a motorcyclist who had left the road.

A man - believed to be the driver of the bike - was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital with serious injuries which are not believed to be life threatening.

Another woman was taken to hospital in an ambulance. Her injuries were not serious.

Fire crews from Clacton, Colchester and Coggeshall attended the casualties.

It has been confirmed by the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust that the person had been on their way back from the annual motorcycle run.

The event - which sees thousands of motorcyclists travel 60 miles from Ford Dunton in Laindon to a family fun day in Harwich - is one of the charity’s biggest single fundraisers and helps to raise vital cash which allows the charity to continue to run its helicopters.

This year saw more than 4,000 bikers raised £41,000.

Volunteer and events lead Jen Wall: “There has been an accident following the Motorcycle Run as the rider headed for home.

“The patient has been airlifted to a major trauma centre.

“Our thoughts are with the rider and we wish them all the best in their recovery.”

The northbound carriage reopened at 4.20pm and the southbound carriage way reopened shortly before 6pm.

In 2016, there was another serious crash involving a motorcyclist travelling home from the event.

Tim Slaven, from Sudbury was hit by a trailer which had come loose from a car on the A120 between Parkeston and Harwich.

The driver of the car was prosecuted for careless driving after failing to attach the trailer properly to his Mazda.

He admitted the charge but escaped a driving ban, instead being handed a fine and six penalty points.

The crash happened in full view of Mr Slaven’s wife who had also been riding a motorbike and was following on as he drove home.

He suffered a depressed skull fracture as well as fractures to his wrists, spine, ribs and feet as a result of the crash.