A MAN who crashed into a cyclist and fled the scene before being hunted by police was at the centre of a serious crash investigation this week.

Thames Valley Police caught up with a 40-year-old Wokingham man after a crash near the Hare Hatch Garden Centre left a cyclist with horrific injuries.

Emergency services rushed to the scene on the A3032 London Road, between Hare Hatch and Twyford, after a white Peugeot Partner collided with the cyclist.

The 44-year-old rider suffered multiple injuries and was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

A hunt was subsequently launched after the van fled the scene immediately after the collision, which happened shortly before 9.30pm on Saturday evening.

TVP's road policing unit eventually traced the van and stopped it on the M40, close to Warwickshire.

The driver was arrested at the scene and later released under investigation.

A police spokesman said: "A cyclist was travelling on the A3032 London Road, between Hare Hatch and Twyford, Berkshire, near to the Hare Hatch Garden Centre.

"A collision occurred between a white Peugeot Partner van and the cyclist.

"The van which left the scene was eventually traced and stopped on the M40 by Warwickshire and Thames Valley Roads Policing units.

"The injured person, a 44-year-old man, was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, with multiple injuries, where he remains in a serious, but stable condition."

Officers suspect the driver could have been driving recklessly before the collision.

Anyone who spotted the vehicle is urged to contact Wayne Reece on 101, quoting reference 'URN 1619 (21/4)'.

Mr Reece said: "This was a very serious collision which has unfortunately left a man with some significant injuries.

"I am appealing to anybody who may have seen the cyclist or witnessed the manner of driving of the Peugeot van to make contact with us."