Motorcyclist, 24, in taxi crash is fighting for life

A motorcyclist was fighting for his life today after a collision with a taxi in Wolverhampton.

The 24-year-old had to be airlifted to hospital following the smash at the junction of Lunt Road and Johnson Place in Bilston.

He today remained in a critical condition at Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

Police, fire crews and the Midlands Air Ambulance were called to the scene at 2.25pm yesterday.

Lunt Road was closed from the junction with Tramway Close and Lunt Place while the scene was cleared and police carried out an inspection.

A police cordon was placed across the road and a police van was also used to block one end of the street while officers sorted through the wreckage of the yellow motorcycle and the Ford Mondeo taxi.

The cordon was removed at 5.45pm, after officers had concluded their investigation.

Crew commander Danny Hinds said: "It appeared to be quite a serious collision between a motorcyclist and private hire vehicle.

"The motorcyclist was taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital by air ambulance with life-threatening injuries."

Police spokeswoman Catherine Hickman added that the man remained in a critical condition this morning and that officers were appealing for witnesses to come forward. She said:

"Any witnesses are urged to contact the Collision Investigation Unit at Aston police station."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Suzie Fothergill said: "The motorcyclist was treated at the scene for serious multiple injuries before being airlifted to hospital for further specialist major trauma treatment.

"The hospital was pre-alerted to the arrival of the man and of his injuries.

"The driver of the car had suffered a neck injury. The casualty was assessed by one of the doctors at the scene but did not require further hospital treatment."

Witnesses to the accident can call the police on 0345 113 5000.