A CYCLIST was hurt after falling off his bike in Blackburn town centre this afternoon.

The man, thought to be in his late 20s or early 30s, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with head injuries at around 2.40pm.

Lying in the road, he remained still but conscious after falling on the corner of Railway Road and Salford, and was talking to Police and Community Support Officers (PCSOs) as they administered first aid prior to the arrival of paramedics.

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An investigation has now been launched into how the man fell off his bike, with a police spokeswoman saying it is believed he was involved in a collision with a taxi.

Shoppers watched on, with some taking pictures and videos on their mobile phones as the man's black Carrera roadbike was carried from the road and onto the pavement.

The man had been wearing a silver helmet, which was removed by paramedics when they arrived shortly after 2.30pm.

The cyclist was then fitted with a neck brace, loaded onto a stretcher and lifted into an ambulance, which then took him to hospital.

One nearby worker said he was inside when the crash happened, but witnessed the aftermath.

He said: "I was serving a customer when I heard the sirens. I looked outside and saw lots of people gathered round. The man was lying in the road."

Railway Road remained open in both directions, while witnesses — including one man in a black VW Golf — gave statements to police officers.

The accident happened just weeks after concerned traders called for a rethink on pedestrian crossings in the road.

It was also there a 90-year-old was taken to hospital after being hit by a car in November 2013.

Anybody who witnessed the accident has been asked to call police on 101, quoting log number 767.