A VAN driver alleged to be high on drugs has been arrested after a biker was left fighting for his life following a "horrific" crash on the A259.

The 34-year-old man from Southwick was detained after the rider crashed with his van at the junction of Wellington Road and Church Road, Portslade, yesterday.

Passersby rushed to help the biker, with one seen performing CPR in the middle of the road.

Several paramedics, including the air ambulance, were also tasked to the scene, while officers probed the cause of the shocking accident.

The van driver was arrested by officers on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs over the specified limit.

He has since been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: "Just before 8.25am on Wednesday, March 16, emergency services were called to a collision between a van and a motorcycle at the junction of the A259 Wellington Road and Church Road, Portslade.

"The A259 was closed in the immediate vicinity for the incident to be attended to.

The Argus: The road was closed for most of the day while officers probed the cause of the crash The road was closed for most of the day while officers probed the cause of the crash

"The motorcyclist is male.

"A 34-year-old man from Southwick has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and driving under the influence of drugs over the specified limit.

"He has been released under investigation while enquiries continue."

The air ambulance landed in Vale Park, Portslade. However, the injured biker was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton by road ambulance.

The busy seafront road was closed while officers from Sussex Polices investigate the cause of the collision.

It is open today.

A spokesman from the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) said: "I can confirm that Secamb was called at approximately 8.25am to reports of a collision involving a vehicle and a motorbike on the A259, Wellington Road, Portslade.

"Ambulance crews attended and were joined at the scene by the air ambulance service.

"The motorcyclist was treated before being taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital by road in a serious condition."

Traffic was brought to a standstill as police placed a cordon around the crash site, causing long queues and delays.

One horrified passerby said the stretch of road was a "death trap" for bikers.

They told The Argus: "This section of the seafront road is lethal for motorbikes.

"It is absolutely dangerous. Members of the public rushed to give first aid.

"It was shocking."

A man who was on his way to work witnessed the aftermath of the crash and described the scene as 'horrific'.

He said: "I was on a bus, saw a man laying down unconscious with a paramedic performing CPR.

"It was awful, horrific."