A shocked witness has told how he rushed to the aid of a cyclist with severe head injuries.

Paul Cooper said he heard a loud bang as he ate his supper last night and found a man lying unconscious in the road outside his home.

The accident happened at 8.15pm in Forest View Road, Bournemouth and the 24-year-old victim is now being treated in hospital.

This morning, a spokesperson for Dorset Police said the man had two fractures to his skull.

Mr Cooper told the Daily Echo: β€œI ran to the window and I could see the wheel of a bike. When I went outside the man was unconscious and there was a lot of blood coming from his mouth and his nose.

β€œHe had severe injuries to his face and I was concerned about his breathing. I called the emergency services and two police cars and two paramedics arrived quite quickly.”

Mr Cooper said the man regained consciousness and he believes he was airlifted to Southampton Hospital. He was not wearing a cycle helmet.

This morning there are blood stains on the road, near its junction with Moorvale Road, and the remains of bottles of beer, believed to have been dropped by the cyclist.

Mr Cooper said many of his neighbours also came out of their homes to help. The bike is believed to be a Diamondback mountain bike.

The police helicopter were initially called around 9pm last night but were cancelled en route.

Police have appealed for any witnesses to the incident to call 101 with any information.