A MOTORCYCLIST had to be taken to hospital with a serious leg injury after a nasty crash in Colchester, prompting police to launch an investigation. 

Essex Police were called to reports of a crash involving a car and a motorcycle, in Ipswich Road, shortly before 6.25pm on Friday.

The incident is said to have resulted in the motorcyclist coming off their vehicle about 50 metres away from the junction between Ipswich Road and Upland Drive.

Traffic heading towards Ipswich was halted at 6.20pm as two ambulances and a police car arrived at the scene with a second police care arriving ten minutes later.

The road was subsequently cordoned off in both directions.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: "The rider of the motorcycle suffered a serious leg injury and continues to receive hospital treatment and our enquiries are ongoing.

“If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

“You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service available Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays) between 10am-9pm.

“Alternatively, you can call us on 101 but in an emergency always call 999.

“If you would like to make an anonymous report, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, by visiting their website or by calling 0800 555 111.

“Please quote incident 919 of 12 January when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible.”