A teenage driver has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a car collided with a motorcycle seriously injuring two young men.

The 18-year-old man has been arrested on two counts of attempted murder and causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a crash in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A 21-year-old and a 19-year-old suffered serious injuries after the bike they were riding on collided with a parked car in Millward Road in Hastings at 1.54am on Sunday.

The bike had been reported stolen less than an hour earlier from Alma Terrace less than two and a half miles away.

It is believed that the motorbike collided with a moving car before the two bike riders crashed into the parked car.

The 21-year-old man riding the motorcycle is being treated for serious injuries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where his condition is described as critical.

His 19-year-old friend, who was also on the motorcycle at the time of the crash, suffered a fractured knee cap.

Sussex Police are now appealing for help in identifying the driver of the car involved in the collision and are conducting door-to-door enquiries.

Detective Inspector Gavin Patch said: "The motorcycle had been reported stolen from Alma Terrace just after 1am.

“While officers were out looking for the stolen bike, we were alerted at 1.54am to a collision in Milward Road.

“There is information that a small car has made contact with motorcycle before the collision.

"A Vauxhall Corsa was found in Castledown Avenue and we are appealing to anyone who saw the collision or the driver leaving the car in Castledown Avenue.”

A 19-year-old man has been arrested for theft, aggravated vehicle taking and possession of a knife and bailed until July 10.

An 18-year-old man has been arrested two counts of attempted murder and causing serious injury by dangerous driving and bailed until September 22.

Anyone with information is asked to call Sussex Police on 101, email 101 @sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Rathnew or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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