A MOTORCYCLIST is fighting for his life after a head-on collision left him with serious injuries.

Matthew Holt, aged 29, was riding down Darwen Road last night when the accident happened with an on-coming Land Rover.

Mr Holt, of Fernview Drive, Holcombe Brook, suffered serious leg wounds and possible head injuries and was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital, before being transferred to Hope Hospital, Manchester.

Staff described his condition this morning as serious.

The road was closed from the time of the accident at 7.35pm until late into the night.

Mr Holt was travelling down Darwen Road towards Egerton, near its junction with Smith Lane, when he attempted to overtake a tractor and trailer on his Yamaha bike.

Overturned

He then collided head-on with the Land Rover, which overturned onto its side.

The driver, Paul Hartigan, aged 42, of Tottington Road, Harwood, and his 10-year-old son, who was a passenger, received minor injuries.

The fire service and paramedics were called to the scene and the motorcyclist was taken to hospital.

Sgt Ken Carter, of Bolton Traffic Unit, attended the accident last night.

He said: "This was a serious accident and we would like anyone who witnessed it to contact us."

The tractor driver, John Taylor, aged 46, of Horrocks Fold Farm, Belmont Road, was unhurt.

Accident investigators were at the scene until close to midnight and many motorists had to try to continue their journey on a different route.