A CYCLIST is in a “life-threatening” condition after a crash near Northwich.

A 75-year-old man had to be airlifted to hospital following a crash at the junction of Smithy Lane and the A533 Runcorn Road in Bartington.

Cheshire Police has now launched an investigation and are appealing for witnesses and video footage.

Inspector Steve Griffiths, of the Serious and Complex Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Enquiries in relation to this incident are ongoing and we’re committed to doing all we can to establish what took place.

“The collision occurred on Smithy Lane, at the junction of Runcorn Road, and as part of our investigation we’re keen to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area and may have witnessed the incident or seen the cyclist or van driving in the area.

“The same goes for anyone with any dashcam forage which may aid the investigation.”

Emergency services were called at around 4.25pm on Tuesday (September 26).

Police arrived to find that a pedal cyclist and a white Vauxhall Astra van towing a trailer had been involved in the collision.

The 75-year-old man who had been riding the bike was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Aintree Hospital via air ambulance.

As of 2.30pm on Wednesday (September 27), his condition is described as “life threatening”.

Meanwhile, the driver of the van, a 33-year-old man, was uninjured.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Cheshire Police by calling 101 or visiting www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us, quoting IML1654169.