Bicyclist seriously hurt in southeast Cedar Rapids crash

An ambulance rushed a man to a hospital this morning after he wiped out on his bicycle in southeast Cedar Rapids.

Emergency crews went to the 300 block of 30th Street SE around 8 a.m. when the accident was reported. Richard Varnum, who called 911 after a neighbor knocked on his door, said two motorists discovered the injured man.

Varnum said the man was breathing, but was not talking, when medics came to his side. A pool of blood was next to the man's head,and one of his legs was caught in the bike, Varnum said.

“He had a head injury on his side and scratches,” Varnum said. “He had to have hit something. Maybe the curb.”

Varnum said the man was staying with relatives up the street. It appeared the injured man had been lying there for at least 10 minutes, he said.