FOUR cyclists suffered serious injuries in two separate collisions in the New Forest this weekend.

In the incidents, both of which happened within 24 hours, a family visiting Brockenhurst on their holidays and a male cycling in the town were hurt after being involved in crashes.

The first took place on Saturday afternoon, when a 68-year-old man, a 58-year-old woman and a 14-year-old girl were injured on the A337 Lymington Road.

A 28-year-old Lymington man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, and bailed until November 25 pending further enquiries.

The road was closed in both directions following the crash.

A spokesperson from Hampshire Constabulary said: “Police are appealing for witnesses and information following a serious road traffic collision in Brockenhurst on Saturday, September 27.

“A dark-coloured Aston Martin was in collision with three cyclists on the A337 at about 4.50pm.”

He added: “Two of the injured people were flown to hospital by air ambulance and the third was taken by road. The driver was not injured.”

All of those injured were taken to Southampton General Hospital, with helicopters from both the Hampshire and Isle of Wight and the Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance services called to assist.

One patient suffered severe leg injuries, while another sustained severe upper body wounds in the collision and were both flown to hospital.

A remaining person suffered facial injuries and was taken to the same hospital by road ambulance.

Witness Melissa Bratt, who works at Setleyridge Vineyard, said she had seen two of the cyclists lying still on grass verges at the side of the road.

She added that both the bikes and the car involved were badly damaged.

“The windscreen was pretty shattered,” she said.

“The bikes were in the middle of the road, all smashed up.”

Shortly after 12.06pm on Sunday, a cyclist also suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car towing a caravan.

It is reported that the driver of the car may be unaware of the incident, which took place in Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, Brockenhurst.

Around £1.2 million has been ring-fenced by the New Forest National Park Authority to improve cycling on the road, as well as Rhinefield Road.

The scheme aims to ‘cycle-proof’ the scenic route with an upgraded road surface.