A CYCLIST is fighting for his life in hospital after a freak accident.

The 60-year-old was flung off his bike in Almondbury – after hitting a cat in the road.

It is believed the rider was thrown over the handlebars.

The incident happened at around 9 o’clock yesterday morning in Somerset Road, close to the junction with Foxglove Road.

The road is on a hill and it is thought the cyclists was heading down Somerset Road towards Aspley.

Witnesses said they believed the man hit a cat and was thrown over the handle bars and sustained serious injuries.

Police and ambulance crews arrived at the scene within minutes and the casualty was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with severe head injuries, a broken pelvis and rib injuries.

It is not known if the cat was injured.

Police cordoned off the main road close to the children’s play area shortly after the incident and that caused major delays as traffic was diverted.

Diversions were brought in using Bank End Lane and roads through Longley.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “Police were called at around 9.09am after a male pedal cyclist aged 60 hit a cat. No vehicles were involved.

“The cyclist suffered serious head injuries and a broken pelvis and ribs.”

A Foxglove Road resident told the Examiner: “There were police and ambulances down there and they closed the road. I didn’t go out to find out what had happened.”

Window cleaner David Dewhurst, 28, who was working nearby heard about the incident.

He said: “We heard it was an older guy who came off his pedal cycle after hitting a cat, but that’s just what people have been saying.”

A Yorkshire Ambulance spokeswoman said: “We received a call to an incident in Somerset Road.

“We sent a rapid response car to the scene along with ambulance.

“The man was initially treated at the scene but then taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.”

Police have appealed for witnesses.