A CYCLIST suffered life-threatening head injuries after falling from his bike.

Police are searching for witnesses after the 53-year-old man was seriously injured in Long Riding, Basildon, at about 10pm on Sunday.

The victim, from Westcliff, is being treated at Basildon Hospital for a bleed on the brain.

The man fell from his bike between Tinkler Side and Nether Priors.

Residents who went to help him said they were unsure how or why he fell.

Jean Cripps, 77, said: “I heard the commotion outside and thought someone was arguing. I thought a fight was going to break out.

“Then I looked out and there was a man was lying in the road.

“A number eight bus came along, and the driver and a passenger got out to help him.

“A few neighbours then went out and covered him with blankets.

“The police were here for quite a while, measuring up the road and taking photographs.

“We hope the man recovers.”

The victim was smartly dressed and police are not ruling out the possibility another vehicle was involved.

They are appealing for anyone who was in the area and saw the cyclist to contact Sgt Mark Ammon at Laindon policing unit on 101 ext 481128 or via email at mark.ammon@essex.pnn.police.uk