A CYCLIST is fighting for his life after being found unconscious under a Weymouth bridge in the early hours of the morning.

The 41-year-old, who lives locally, is in serious condition in Dorset County Hospital after sustaining severe injuries.

He was found lying on the path alongside the Weymouth Relief Road at 3.30am on Thursday. The victim was discovered by a passer-by who was on his way to work and called the emergency services.

The man, who did not wish to be named, said he saw a body lying on the pavement. He said: “I was walking to work when I came across this bike.

It was really dark. “I didn’t know where it had come from or who it belonged to – I almost picked it up to take a closer look, but it’s lucky I didn’t.

I took a few steps under the bridge and that’s when I saw him.” He added: “As a car went past towards me it lit the bridge up and I just saw him, lying there face down.

I only got a brief flash of him because it was that dark, I couldn’t see, so I immediately called the police. “He was some distance from his bike. The bike was in perfect condition. There was nothing wrong with it.

I couldn’t really tell how bad it was, he was unconscious.” Littlemoor resident Jan Hinton said: “This is awful, I really hope the man is all right.

“I’m very upset to hear that he’s been hurt and hope he makes a full recovery. “I hope the police can get to the bottom of this and find out what happened to him.”

Police officers in Weymouth are appealing for witnesses and anyone with information about the incident to come forward.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “A man was found on the path under the footbridge at the Jurassic Roundabout next to his bicycle at approximately 3.30am.

“The 41-year-old local man was taken to Dorset County Hospital where his condition is described as serious.”

PC Jon Ash, of Weymouth road traffic police, said: “At this time we cannot ascertain what has happened. We are appealing to anyone who may have seen any sort of incident in which this man may have suffered his injuries.

“In particular we would like to speak to anyone who may have seen this man riding his bicycle prior to the incident.”

A spokesman for South West Ambulance, who also attended the scene, said: “We were called at 3.37am and one ambulance and one rapid response vehicle attended.

The police called us because they had concerns for the welfare of the individual.

” Anyone with information about the cyclist can call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 19:69. Or they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.