A MOTORCYCLIST was taken to hospital with serious back and chest injuries following a crash this morning.

The incident happened at about 8am on Ashingdon Road southbound at the Dalys Road junction.

Police closed the road while the motorcyclist was treated by paramedics.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police are at the scene of a serious injury road traffic collision in Ashingdon Road in Rochford.

“Officers were called by the Ambulance Service shortly after 7.35am today to reports that a motorcyclist had come off his bike.

“The rider, believed to be a man in his 50s from the Southend area, has been taken to the Royal London Hospital for treatment to his injuries.

“The Rochford bound side of the road has been closed while police carry out investigations and debris is cleared.”

The spokesman said the man has now been taken to the Royal London Hospital.

He asked for witnesses to contact PC Mark Hewitt in Roads Policing on 101.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) received a call at 7.31am today to Ashingdon Road, Rochford, to a report of a road traffic collision involving a motorcyclist.

“A rapid response vehicle, ambulance crew and ambulance officer attended.

“They treated a man in his 50s who had suffered serious injuries to his back and chest."

The road was reopened at about 9am.