A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries yesterday after his motorbike came off the A169.

The crash happened on the Pickering to Whitby road at Saltergate Bank, near the Saltersgate Inn, at around 1.30pm on Sunday October 1.

The 61-year-old was heading towards his home town of Whitby when the black and blue AJS motorcycle came off the road to the nearside.

The man’s wife, aged 59, was following on another motorcycle, but she was not involved in the collision.

Ministry of Defence Police from RAF Fylingdales were first on the scene to provide assistance before the emergency services arrived.

The rider was taken by air ambulance to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with internal injuries.

He is in a “serious but stable” condition.

The section of road remained closed until 5.20pm on Sunday while the scene of the collision was examined by the police. Local diversions were put in place by highways.

Witnesses to the collision are urged to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for the Roads Policing Group Scarborough.

Alternatively email paul.long@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Quote reference number 12170176163.