A CYCLIST sustained a broken collar bone and a finger when he fell from his bike after after he swerved to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

The crash happened in Knaresborough, at the junction of Farfield Avenue and Wetherby Road, at around 3.30pm on Sunday.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a 39-year-old local man was riding his bike along Wetherby Road and turned right into Farfield Avenue.

The spokesman explained: "As he entered the junction he was forced to swerve to avoid an oncoming vehicle.

"This led to the cyclist falling from his bike and sustaining serious injuries, breaking his collar bone and a finger."

The vehicle involved left the scene before police officers arrived and North Yorkshire Police has no further information about it, the spokesman said.

Traffic constable Ken Riley, of the force's Roads Policing Group, who attended the scene, commented: "I urge anyone who saw this incident to come forward with any information they may have about the vehicle involved.

"I am particularly keen to speak with a man who was driving what has been described as an 'old style VW Golf in black'. He was seen by a witness helping the injured cyclist to his feet at the side of the road. Unfortunately this person left the scene prior to police arrival and I believe he may have vital information to help me shed light on the circumstances."

Anyone with information is asked to phone TC Ken Riley on 101 and select option 2. Alternatively, email ken.riley@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. Quote reference number 12170082966.

TC Riley added: "I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank those members of the public who did stop with the cyclist and helped him prior to the arrival of the emergency services. Their assistance was of great comfort, and both the injured party and his family are very grateful."