A morning ride ended in a desperate fight for life after two avid cyclists were injured in a crash on the northern beaches, with a driver now facing serious charges.
Just after 6am on Tuesday, 47-year-old Nick Sky and 56-year-old Michael Collings were riding on Forest Way in Belrose when they were struck by a station wagon, Nine News reported.
Nick Sky, an experienced cyclist, was left in a critical condition.
The crumpled bikes were left a mangled mess at the crime scene and the windscreen of the car was smashed.
Sky, an experienced cyclist and runner, was rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital in a helicopter in a critical condition.
His son, also a competitive cyclist, was riding to work when he got the news, arriving at the scene visibly distraught, Nine News reported.
Michael Collings was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with serious injuries.
Collings was taken to the same hospital with serious injuries. The keen cyclist has significant experience on the bike, just a few years ago conquering a multiday ride through the Pyrenees mountain range in Europe.
After an investigation by the police crash investigation unit the 24-year-old male driver of the car was taken to Manly police station and charged with negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and causing bodily harm by misconduct in a motor vehicle.
He was granted conditional bail and will face Manly Local Court on July 24.