A CYCLIST was last night in hospital with serious head injuries after a morning cycle ride to celebrate the opening of a new headquarters.

Members of the West Suffolk Wheelers and Triathlon Club had been riding through the county yesterday after hosting the official opening of its new headquarters in Bury St Edmunds.

However, as more than 24 riders embarked on the “celebratory” trip which passed through Little Saxham, near Bury, three cyclists collided with each other. Emergency services, including an air ambulance, were called to the scene in the village at 11.55am yesterday.

Peter Heath, membership secretary for the club, told the EADT that the incident, which left three men injured, had left members “shocked”.

The two rides had been organised as a celebration for yesterday’s grand opening.

“We had two celebratory rides organised because of the launch of our headquarters,” he said. “On one of the rides there was a touching of wheels and it brought people down off their bikes. It was all an unfortunate accident and everyone is in shock about it, especially as it had been such a great morning opening the headquarters.”

A spokesman for the air ambulance service said that a 23-year-old man was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with a serious head injury.

His injuries were initially described as time-critical – in need of urgent treatment – by a spokesman for the East of England Ambulance Service.

Last night, his condition was described as serious but stable.

Meanwhile, two other riders suffered minor injuries in the collision – one with head and chest injuries – and were taken to the West Suffolk Hospital in Bury for further treatment.

Mr Heath praised members of the Bury-based group, who worked together in helping the emergency services.

He said: “Everyone that was there pitched in and helped as much as they could. Some helped to direct traffic and others helped with those injured.

“One of our cyclists is a paramedic so it was great that he was able to assess those injured and prioritise who needed the urgent treatment.

“It is a great shock for us all. We don’t know the condition of the three men in hospital.”

hollie-rae.merrick@eadt.co.uk