An American tourist is in a life-threatening condition after he and another motorcycle rider were involved in a collision near the Swing Bridge.

A Bermuda Police Service spokesman said that emergency medical personnel arrived at the accident scene on Mullet Bay Road, St George’s, just past the Swing Bridge, before the junction with Stokes Point Road, to find a two males and a female lying in the roadway.

The spokesman said: “One male, a 69-year-old visitor from the United States was unresponsive and had suffered a serious head injury.

“His 66-year-old wife and pillion passenger, also visiting from the US, sustained minor bruises about the body.

“She was conscious and alert. The other male, a 50-year-old Bermudian national, sustained injuries to his neck and left hand. He, too, was conscious and alert.

“The injured parties were attended to at the scene by EMTs before being transported by ambulance to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, for further treatment for their injuries.

“At last check the American man was warded in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. His injuries are now deemed to be life-threatening.

“His wife remains in the hospital’s Emergency Department as does the Bermudian male. Their injuries are not considered life-threatening.

“Details of the collision are limited at this time, however, it is understood both men were travelling in opposite directions along Mullet Bay Road when they collided.

“The collision resulted in the roadway being closed for approximately one hour, then traffic being restricted to one lane for a further three hours, while the scene was forensically processed.

“The Bermuda Police Service wish to thank the public for their patience and co-operation during this exercise.”

The BPS said that claims the crash was caused by a police chase involving one of the motorcyclists were untrue.

The spokesman said: “The BPS are aware of a WhatsApp post shared several times, which indicates the collision was as a result of a police chase involving one of the motorcycle riders.

“We wish to dispel this unfounded rumour as there was no police chase in progress when the collision occurred.”

The BPS have called for anyone with information on the incident to contact Pc Glynn Kellman on on 717-2204, or via e-mail, gkellman@bps.bm.

Information can also be shared using the BPS community portal.