Two motorcyclists were flown to hospitals by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) after crashes on roads in Cumbria. 

A 49-year-old man, from the Carlisle area, was flown to Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, with life-threatening injuries after coming off his bike on the A686 between Melmerby and Langwathby at about 2.30pm yesterday.  

He sustained serious head and abdominal injuries and arrived in hospital in a critical condition. Police confirmed today that he is in a stable condition. 

The road was closed for about three hours in both directions while the black Kawasaki motorbike, the only vehicle involved, was recovered and a full scene examination took place. 

Police said the biker appeared to have lost control on the bend as he travelled towards Langwathby.

A 30-year-old biker, from London, sustained serious leg injuries when she came off her bike at Seatoller while travelling at high speed down Honister Pass at about 12.30pm. 

She was treated at the scene by Keswick Mountain Rescue Team, land ambulance paramedics and the GNAAS crew. 

She was then flown to the major trauma centre in Preston for treatment and arrived in a stable condition. 

Officers are appealing for witnesses of the crash near Langwathby to contact sergeant Paul Brown on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.