Motorcyclist injured in Smethwick crash

A motorcyclist was in hospital with head injuries today after his bike was in collision with a car in Smethwick.

The man was taken to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital after the crash in Astbury Avenue, at 2.35pm yesterday.

The Midlands Air Ambulance was called to the scene but was not needed.

Onlookers said the collision involved a a silver Vauxhall car and blue motorcycle.

Yvonne Trowmen, the licensee of The Old Chapel Inn in nearby The Uplands said she knew the collision was serious when she heard the helicopter had landed on the venue's rear bowling green.

West Midlands Ambulance service spokeswoman Suzie Fothergill said: "He had suffered a significant head injury and was anaesthetised."