Hanchurch van collision puts cyclist in hospital
A CYCLIST was taken to hospital with serious head injuries after a collision with a van on a rural road.
The victim, a woman in her 50s, was struck as she rode along Drayton Road, Hanchurch, near Dog Lane, on Saturday.
She was treated at the scene by paramedics and an emergency doctor, before being transferred to the University of North Staffordshire, shortly before 10am. Police described her condition as critical.
The road was closed for several hours as the emergency services dealt with what they described as a 'serious collision.'
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The woman, who has not been identified, is from the Newcastle area.
Neighbours described the road as 'an accident waiting to happen'.
Tony Laitham, aged 65, of Hanchurch, said: "I'm not surprised that something like this has happened because there have been a few minor accidents along this road, although nothing as serious as this.
"It's a really nasty road with lots of blind corners which make it difficult for people to see. Also, a lot of motorists come down here quite fast.
"I've known a few incidents when cars have clipped each other.
"I've lived here for 30 years and the road has become a lot busier over the years. A lot of motorists use it as a cut-through to get from Market Drayton to the B road and there are a lot of cyclists and dog walkers around here."
Mr Laitham's neighbour Jeanette Quick, aged 72, said: "I was in my kitchen when I heard that a woman had been knocked off her bike.
"When I looked out of the window, I saw loads of police cars outside. My husband needed to get out to get some petrol and the police told him he would have to go another route because they had closed the roads.
"Several accidents have happened at this bend over the years. We have to be very careful when we drive on this road to go out or get home because it can be quite hard to see cars coming from the other side.
"I prefer driving in the dark because at least you can see the headlights from other cars. It's a dreadful road to drive on."
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said: "A female from the Newcastle area, aged in her fifties, suffered serious head injuries as a result of the collision.
"The road remained closed for two hours while officers from the regional collision investigation unit examined the scene."
Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 01785 23409.
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