Police are continuing to investigate a crash on Portland Beach Road which left a cyclist seriously injured and caused major traffic disruption.

As reported, a cyclist was airlifted to hospital following a collision with a car outside the Ferrybridge boatyard about 7pm on Friday.

At the time, Dorset Police said the cyclist suffered “potentially life threatening injuries”.

However, yesterday a force spokesman said the injuries suffered by the cyclist, a man in his 50s, were said to be “serious”, but not life threatening.

He was airlifted to Southampton Hospital for treatment by an air ambulance.

The island was cut off on Friday evening as the road had to be closed. Traffic was starting to flow again by about 9.15pm but it was very slow as only a few cars were being let through from each direction at a time.

Witnesses and anyone with information can contact police, incident number 6:450.

Meanwhile, a man has been arrested following an alleged hit-and-run incident in Sturminster Newton that left a driver with serious head injuries. It happened about 7.20 pm last Thursday involving a green Mini and a silver Chevrolet Kalos.

The Mini driver, a 19-year-old man from the town, sustained a very serious head injury and was taken to Dorset County Hospital, where he remains in a serious but stable condition. His condition is no longer life threatening.

The driver of the Chevrolet, meanwhile, reportedly failed to stop at the scene, and the car was later found abandoned nearby.

In connection with the collision, Dorset Police have arrested a 21-year-old man from the Blandford area on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident and failing to report an accident. He is also suspected of driving without valid insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He is currently assisting officers with their enquiries.

Witnesses are sought; incident number 5:467.