A CYCLIST riding at 'high speed without a helmet' is in a life-threatening condition after colliding with a pedestrian in Earley on Monday evening.

The 26-year-old man sustained serious head injuries after turning onto Church Road from Wokingham Road, before striking a 29-year-old male.

Officers from Thames Valley Police cordoned off the scene with blue and white tape at around 7.30pm and issued a roadblock for several hours, as the injured cyclist was airlifted to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

A bystander who spoke with police at the scene said: "A cyclist with no helmet came around the corner at high speed and hit a pedestrian who was crossing the road."

The young man remains in a serious condition at the Trauma Unit of John Radcliffe Hospital, while the man who was crossing the road sustained minor injuries.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said: "We got a number of calls at 19.27 to attend a collision between a pedestrian and a cyclist.

"They were both aged in their twenties. One man was flown to John Radcliffe Hospital's Trauma Unit with life-threatening head injuries.

"The other man was taken to Royal Berkshire Hospital with minor injuries."

Officers are appealing for witnesses who spotted the collision in Earley on Monday evening.

PC Justin Aylin-White, investigating officer for Reading, said: "I am appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time, and who witnessed this incident, or who may have other details which could help our investigation, to come forward.

"Anyone with any information should call the Thames Valley Police non-emergency number on 101."

"If you do not want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court."