A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with multiple injuries following a road accident in the New Forest on Saturday.

The accident occurred at 9.45am on the A337 Christchurch Road at Downton, near New Milton.

A 40 year-old male motorcyclist was involved in a collision with a Fiesta. The bike caught fire which spread to a nearby hedge and the motorcylist was rushed to Southampton General Hospital in a helicopter, suffering from multiple injuries. He was due to undergo surgery yesterday and his condition is not thought to be life-threatening.

The road was closed until 1pm as police cleared the scene.