A CYCLIST suffered serious injuries during an alleged hit and run in Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The man, 63, was riding an electric-assisted bicycle designed to resemble a moped when he was involved in a collision with a blue Citroën Berlingo van shortly after 9am.

He was rushed to Southampton General Hospital by paramedics, where he remains in a serious but not life-threatening condition.

Police allege that the van driver failed to stop at the scene of the crash, which took place at the junction of Christchurch Road and Derby Road.

The vehicle was found nearby a short time later.

A 44-year-old Bournemouth man has been arrested on suspicion of careless driving and failing to stop after a road accident.

He is continuing to assist police with their enquiries.

Police closed Christchurch Road from Knyveton Road to St Swithun’s Road to carry out their investigations.

Derby Road was also shut between Christchurch Road and the junction of Manor Road.

Both roads reopened midway through the afternoon.

A spokesperson from Dorset Police said officers were dealing with a “serious injury collision” involving a bicycle designed to look like a moped.

“One person has sustained serious injuries and has been taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment,” she said.

Police officers could be seen placing plastic markers around a vehicle on the pavement this morning.

Two marked cars and a van used by the collision investigation team remained at the scene for several hours.

Insolvency specialist Mark Liddle, who owns Mark Liddle Partnership in Christchurch Road, said: “I arrived just before 9.30am and there were police all over the place.

“Traffic has been held up and there are lots of blue lights. I’ve seen an ambulance as well as police cars.

“The road is completely closed.”

Buses were diverted along Manor Road.

Sergeant Nikki Burt, of the force’s traffic unit, called for anyone with information about the collision to come forward and speak to officers.

“I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the collision, or the moments leading up to it, and has not yet spoken to officers to please come forward,” she said.

“We would like to thank motorists for their patience while the road closure was in place.”

Anyone with information is asked to visit dorset.police.uk or call 101, quoting 16:87.