A TEENAGE cyclist has been left in a serious condition after being trapped under a bus.

The 16-year-old boy was flown by air ambulance to the Royal London Hospital with multiple injuries after the crash.

Two fire crews from Clacton and one from Colchester as well as an Urban Search and Rescue Unit, based in Lexden, attended Skelmersdale Road, Clacton, yesterday at 12.54pm.

Airbags were used to lift the bus off the boy before he could be treated. He was released at 1.30pm.

The extent of his injuries were not disclosed last night.

An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “Firefighters assisted at the scene of a road traffic collision involving a bus and a cyclist. The cyclist was trapped under the bus.

“Crews stabilised the vehicle and used airbags to safely lift it and worked with the ambulance service to release the casualty.”

Police were contacted by the ambulance service shortly before 1pm with reports of the collision.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “Police, paramedics, the air ambulance and fire brigade attended.

“The pedestrian, a 16-year-old boy, was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

“The road was closed until about 3.30pm while emergency services were on scene.”

The First Essex bus service has confirmed one of its Number 8 services vehicles was involved in an incident with a cyclist at about 1pm.

A First Essex spokesman said: “We are working closely with the police to establish exactly what caused the incident.

“In the meantime our thoughts are with the injured boy and his family.”

Residents in Skelmersdale Road said they did not see the accident or know how it happened.

Jack Parsons, Labour councillor for Clacton’s St Paul’s Ward on Tendring Council, said: “It goes without saying our hopes and thoughts are with this young boy and his family over his traumatic experience.

“The area is always very busy in terms of motor users and cyclists and it is near the high school too.

“It verifies everyone’s responsibility to be extra vigilant about other road users.”

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any information can call Essex Police on on 101.