A MOTORCYCLIST rushed to hospital with serious leg injuries following a crash in Poole yesterday remains in a 'potentially life-threatening' condition.

The 21-year-old local man was riding down Constitution Hill Road along with three other young motorcyclists when he was involved in a collision with a grey Audi estate at just after 4pm.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital by air ambulance with injuries described as serious and 'potentially life-threatening'.

No one else was injured in the crash, which saw the road closed off for several hours while police carried out an investigation.

Police Sergeant Jon Wren, of Dorset Police's Traffic Unit, said: "The grey Audi estate was coming up Constitution Hill followed by other members of the public.

"A young male motorcyclist was coming down the hill towards Poole when for some reason he moved into the offside of the carriageway and was involved in a collision with the Audi.

"We don't know what position in the group this rider was in and it is possible that his friends are unaware that he was injured.

"We would like to speak to any witnesses of the manner of driving of the motorcycle and the Audi prior to the crash, and also particularly to any members of the group the rider was with."

Emergency services including three ambulances and the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance were called to the incident, the latter landing in playing fields off North Road. The casualty was transferred to the helicopter from the scene by a land ambulance.

Firefighters were required to deal with the motorbike, which had caught fire after colliding with a lamppost. There was also fuel spilled on the road.

A spokesperson for Dorset Fire and Rescue Service said they extinguished the bike fire using a hose reel jet and two breathing apparatus. No one was trapped in the crash.