Mountain biker rescued from remote trail with serious injuries

A Belleville, Ont., man who fell and was seriously injured while mountain biking in a remote area was rescued on Tuesday, police say.

It happened at the MacaulayMountain Conservation Area southeast of Belleville, according to Ontario Provincial police.

The cyclist, 53, was riding the trails when he fell off his bike and slid down a steep embankment. He was seriously hurt and unable to move, OPP said in a media release issued Wednesday.

The man lay there until a hiker heard his calls for help and called 911.

Police, firefighters and paramedics responded but it was difficult to find him. When emergency crews arrived, difficult terrain aggravated rescue efforts.

"Several hours later the injured [cyclist] was carried 40 metres up a steep slope using ropes, rescue baskets and a winch," OPP said. He was then carried out to Clarke Road, where an ambulance was waiting.

The 53-year-old was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.