Motorcycle wreck victim airlifted to hospital

A motorcyclist was airlifted to the Medical College of Georgia Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a morning crash on Interstate 20.

Everett Matthews, of Alabama, was riding alongside another motorcyclist eastbound on I-20 shortly before 11 a.m. when the two started to exit on the ramp to the Appling-Harlem Highway, according to Columbia County sheriff’s Deputy Erik Napier.

Mr. Matthews negotiated the exit late and ran onto the concrete at the edge of the median, Deputy Napier said. The motorcycle’s footboard struck a small reflective post, and that sent Mr. Matthews tumbling into the grassy area between the ramp and the interstate, Deputy Napier said.

No other vehicle was involved in the crash, and the other motorcyclist stopped without incident.

Traffic in the eastbound lanes briefly was halted to allow a Gold Cross helicopter ambulance to land. Traffic is back to normal on the interstate.