A CYCLIST was killed after a rider lost control of his motorbike in Belmont.

The 43-year-old from Billinge, near Wigan, died after the accident in Rivington Road at about 2.20pm yesterday.

A 20-year-old biker — believed to be from Bolton — suffered facial injuries and was taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

It is believed the motorcyclist was travelling uphill when he lost control of the white and orange Yamaha motorbike going round a bend and swerved into the path of the cyclist.

The cyclist was taken to Preston Hospital by air ambulance but failed to recover from his injuries.

Police shut the road for three hours to investigate the crash and are now appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Sgt Claire Pearson, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “We are trying to establish how this collision occurred.

“We know there were several people in the area at the time, both on foot and in vehicles and so I would ask anyone who witnessed the collision to contact us.”

Belmont residents said the road had become an accident blackspot.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: “We’re used to accidents around here. They’re very common — especially with motorbikes.

“A lot of the riders head to Rivington Barn on that road.

“Unfortunately that’s when people end up seriously hurt. It’s very sad.”

Another resident added: “We saw the air ambulance overhead and all of the police cars.

“It’s a very dangerous road and these accidents seems to be happening more often.”

Anyone with any information about this incident should contact PC 1301 Harris at Lancashire Police on 101, quoting log number LC-20140921-0844.