The police helicopter and dog handlers have been trying to trace a motorcyclist who left the scene of an accident in which his pillion passenger suffered a broken arm.

It was about 7pm today (Sunday, October 12) that the incident happened on the A5117 next to the Strawberry roundabout, by the Murco petrol station, in Ellesmere Port.

The crash scene near the Strawberry Roundabout in Ellesmere Port on Sunday night
The crash scene near the Strawberry Roundabout in Ellesmere Port on Sunday night

PC Steve Holland of Cheshire Police said two passenger buses, travelling in opposite directions, were passing each other at the time.

A Honda CBR bike, heading in the direction of Cheshire Oaks, had apparently overtaken one of the vehicles but ended up colliding with both, leading the male rider to lose control.

The male passenger suffered a badly broken arm and was taken to hospital by ambulance but the rider had left the scene.

PC Holland said there had been concern for the welfare of the rider in case he had run away, with adrenalin pumping through his veins, but had collapsed nearby and was lying injured in the dark.

The police helicopter, equipped with a powerful search light and infrared night vision, had been scrambled to assist.

Eye witnesses also spotted a dog handler in the car park of The Woodland pub in Whitby.

No bus passengers were injured in the accident although both drivers, who stayed near their vehicles, were left shaken. Passengers were transferred to other buses.

A section of the A5117 was closed to allow police accident investigators to take photos and measurements. A fast response paramedic car remained at the scene.