(Image: Northumbria Police)
Police are appealing for information after a car and bike collided at a road junction before dawn on Friday (October 23).
The crash involved a black MG ZS Trophy and a bicycle at the junction of the A690 and Thorney Close Road in Sunderland, shortly after 6.30am.
Emergency services found the rider, a man in his 50s, seriously injured.
He was taken for treatment in hospital and was detained.
The car driver was said to have stayed at the scene and helped police with their inquiries.
Northumbria Police is investigating the crash and the events leading up to it.
Investigators want to hear from anyone who was travelling in the area and either witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage.
Anyone with information should contact Northumbria Police by direct message on social media or through the force’s website.
But anyone unable to go online should call 101.
Callers are asked to quote reference NP-20261023-0173.