A MINEHEAD cyclist suffered serious back injuries after colliding with a car during a cycling challenge across Exmoor at the weekend.

Fred Hagan, 61, has already undergone two operations at Bristol's Frenchay Hospital following the incident on Sunday afternoon.

He was taking part in the annual Exmoor Beauty Cycle Challenge and was on a steep descent of Dunkery Hill when his bike slid under a silver car which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Medical volunteers from the British Red Cross, stationed nearby, were on the scene within seconds and Mr Hagan was taken to Frenchay by the Devon Air Ambulance.

His condition was initially described as "critical" but, after undergoing surgery, his injuries were no longer deemed to be life-threatening.

Mr Hagan is a well-known member of Minehead Running Club and annually organises popular events such as the Exmoor Stagger, Horner Water Run and the Seaview 17.

Club president, Minehead businessman Graham Sizer said everyone was hoping he made a full recovery from his appalling injuries.

He said Mr Hagan's wife Maureen was with him at Frenchay but it was not yet clear if he would suffer any permanent problems as a result of the accident.

Mr Sizer said: "Fred's a hard man so he should mend pretty well, but we're all on tenterhooks at the moment.

"He's done a lot for the running club over the years but had decided his knees and legs couldn't take the pounding from running any more and that's why he'd taken to cycling.

"It was devastating to be told about the accident. We've not had a bad injury like this among a club member for a long time."

But the circumstances surrounding the accident sparked a war of words between the police and cycle challenge organisers.

Trouble flared after Avon and Somerset Constabulary sent out a press statement appealing for help to trace the driver of the car involved in the accident after his details were not taken at the scene.

The force statement said the cyclist had been trapped under a car, freed by "cycle race marshalls [sic]" and flown to hospital by "private helicopter".

The statement went on to claim: "Police, fire nor ambulance were called to this incident and, as a result, the driver's details were not taken.

"Investigations began when hospital staff alerted police to the man's condition, which was described as critical."

But event organiser Marcus Di-Vincenzo said a 999 call had been made immediately after the accident, which was not a 'hit and run' as the driver remained at the scene.

He said a doctor had been taking part in the challenge and had insisted the air ambulance was needed after assessing Mr Hagan's condition.

Mr Di-Vincenzo said it had been assumed the police would have been alerted by the 999 operators and he was horrified when he realised he was being accused of failing to call in emergency services after such a serious incident.

He was also critical of the force's description of the leisure ride as a "cycle race" and said it gave the wrong impression of the event.

The police press statement was later changed on the force website to simply read: "He [the cyclist] was freed from under the vehicle and was flown to Frenchay hospital.

"Police were not called to this incident and, as a result, the driver's details were not taken."

Mr Di-Vincenzo, who is a former Royal Marine, said "extensive safety measures" had been in place to ensure the welfare of more than 600 challenge participants.

"Following an earlier detailed risk assessment, one of two medical technician crews engaged by the Exmoor Beauty Cycle Challenge had been instructed to station themselves at the point where riders started their final run back to the coast.

"The crew was on the scene of the accident within seconds and aided by a doctor, who was also taking part in the ride, the injured cyclist's injuries were diagnosed as life-threatening.

"The crew immediately summoned the emergency services and arrangements were quickly made for the Devon Air Ambulance to attend.

"Within 20 minutes, the injured rider was being transported to Frenchay Hospital," Mr Di-Vincenzo said.

He said the speed of the response was largely due to the insistence that all key personnel used satellite communications due to poor mobile telephone coverage in the area.

"With mobile phone signals not being available in many parts of the moor, the high-tech option was a vital part of the event's risk assessment.

"In an effort to prevent any mishaps, the assessment had also found it essential to fix high visibility caution and slow signs along those sections of the route where extra care needed to be exercised.

"Signs were also posted cautioning other road users that the event was in progress.

"In changeable and sometimes arduous weather conditions, over 600 riders completed the 70-mile challenge without incident," Mr Di-Vincenzo said.

He said the thoughts of everyone involved in the challenge were with Mr Hagan and his family: "We all hope he makes a full and speedy recovery," he said.

The driver of the car involved in the incident has contacted the police who said he was being treated as a witness.

A force spokesman said staff had been happy to clarify the situation by amending the disputed press statement online.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Devon Air Ambulance confirmed the helicopter had been called to Dunkery Hill at 1.22pm and had flown Mr Hagan directly to Frenchay Hospital.