A morning of chaos on the Marecchiese, where a violent collision between a motorcycle and a bicycle required the intervention of a rescue helicopter and the closure of the state road SS258.
The crash occurred shortly after 9am near Bar 11, between the turn-off for San Marino and the one for Verucchio. The most seriously injured was a 43-year-old motorcyclist living in Savignano, who was taken to hospital in critical condition. Also injured was a 55-year-old cyclist from Rimini, who remained conscious throughout and whose condition, according to initial reports, is not serious.
According to initial findings, the 43-year-old was riding a Kawasaki Ninja along the Marecchiese towards Novafeltria, together with another motorcyclist. For reasons still being investigated by the Carabinieri, the motorcycle collided with the bicycle, which was travelling in the same direction.
Emergency crews responding to the scene included two ambulances, a rapid-response medical car and the rescue helicopter, which landed to urgently transfer the motorcyclist. Carabinieri are working to reconstruct the exact dynamics of the crash.
Among the elements under investigation is the testimony of the motorcyclist who was riding alongside the 43-year-old, according to whom the cyclist suddenly swerved into the lane being used by the two motorcycles. This account will need to be verified through the on-site inspections carried out by investigators.
To allow rescue operations and safety measures to proceed, the Marecchiese was closed in the stretch affected by the crash. Traffic heading towards Novafeltria is being diverted onto the Vecchia Marecchiese, rejoining the state road at Ponte Verucchio, causing long queues and heavy delays.
