POLICE have appealed for information after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a road crash on the A760 near Kilbirnie last Friday.

The 48-year-old male biker had to be taken to hospital by air ambulance after suffering chest and spine injuries in the accident at 5.35pm.

It was one of two road traffic accidents in the area last week which saw victims transported to Glasgow by air ambulance.

The red Kawasaki motorcycle was travelling east along the A760 from Largs to Kilbirnie near to the entrance to Auchencloigh Farm when it lost control, resulting in the rider being thrown off and sustaining serious injury.

He was quickly helped by a passing doctor before emergency services arrived.

The man was airlifted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, where staff described his condition as critical but stable.

Sergeant Iain Thornton from Ayrshire’s Road Policing Unit said: “I would appeal for anyone who was on the A760 around the time of the incident or who saw a red Kawasaki motorcycle travelling east in convoy with a black Kawasaki motorcycle to get in touch.

“Anyone with information can contact officers via the 101 non-emergency number.” Fire and Rescue crews also attended the incident.

Station Manager Derek Davidson said: “By the time fire crews arrived, the victim had been assisted back up to road level by a passing doctor.

"The fire service assisted the Air Ambulance crews to carry the casualty to the helicopter.” An air ambulance also had to be called after a road crash on the B780 near Dalry last Thursday evening.

Fire appliances from Kilwinning and Ardrossan found a van on its roof with two casualties inside.

Mr Davidson said:  “One man was freed quite simply while the second had to be extricated by utilising hydraulic cutting equipment.

“At all times, the trapped victim was conscious and breathing and under supervision of our partners at the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“The trapped victim was freed from the wreckage and fire crews assisted the Air Ambulance team to get him to the helicopter after which he was removed to Southern General Hospital in Glasgow.”