A MAN is fighting for his life in hospital following a road crash in Elmstead Market.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the head-on collision between a pedal cyclist and a white Ford Transit van in Bromley Road, shortly after 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The 62-year-old van driver from Colchester was uninjured.

The cyclist, a 23-year-old man from Great Bromley, sustained head injuries and was taken to Colchester General Hospital before being transferred to the Royal London.

He is he is currently in a critical, life-threatening condition.

A police spokesman said: “We’re appealing for witnesses to the collision and especially the driver of a small red car which stopped at the scene to offer assistance, but then left prior to our arrival.”

A section of the road was closed for approximately four hours while forensic collision investigators carried out inquiries.

Anyone with information in connection with the crash, especially the red car driver, is urged to contact investigating officers at Stanway Road Policing Unit on 0300 333 4444.