Cyclist falls 15 meters avoiding truck

The man was airlifted to to Auckland City Hospital in critical condition. Photo / Supplied

A cyclist fell 15 meters down a bank in Onetangi on Waiheke Island this morning, suffering serious head, chest and internal injuries.

The man, in his 60s, was cycling down a hill in when he swerved to avoid an oncoming truck and fell, Auckland Rescue Helicopter said.

At 10.30am a rescue helicopter crew was sent to the scene, St John's were already present, landing close to the scene of the accident.

The man was transported to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

Police said it appeared the man had come off his bike near the bottom of Trig Hill Rd after swerving to avoid a truck, which may have been parked illegally.

A police spokesman said the man was travelling down the hill at speed before "possibly trying to avoid the truck and has come off his bike."

The Serious Crash Unit attended the scene and police were currently in the process of finding and speaking to the owner of the truck, the spokesman said.

He could not confirm whether the man was local or a tourist.