A MAN was rushed to hospital with head and back injuries at the weekend, after falling off his bike.

The man, believed to be in his 40s, was cycling on a dirt track off Hitchin Road in Pirton on Friday evening, when he came off his mountain bike.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) were alerted to the incident, and dispatched a hazardous area response team. A police helicopter was also sent out.

Ambulance spokesman Gary Sanderson said: “We believe the patient was ejected from his bike whilst riding down a steep track in the middle of a field. Luckily police dispatched their helicopter which was able to pin point his location and land near to him and guide in the attending ambulance crews.

“The team were able to send in their off road Polaris vehicle to the incident, which was able to get through the rough terrain and remove the patient back to the awaiting ambulance.”

The man was taken to Lister Hospital for further observations after sustaining injuries to his back, head and neck.