Officials search for injured biker after crash in Myrtle Beach area

Officials with the S.C. Highway Patrol are attempting to locate a man who was injured when he crashed his motorcycle Tuesday night then fled the scene.

A highway patrol officer made a U-turn on George Bishop Parkway at 10 p.m. after noticing the motorcycle was speeding, said Lance Cpl. Sonny Collins.

Collins said ''the officer lost sight of the motorcycle almost immediately,'' and added that there was ''no chase, no pursuit.''

A person driving on George Bishop Parkway on Wednesday morning noticed the motorcycle in the woods and alerted police, Collins said.

Later Wednesday morning, Brodie Cotton of Myrtle Beach told a highway patrol officer at the scene that he saw an injured man around 10 p.m. Tuesday night walking near the scene.

"He just walked across the road,'' said Cotton, pointing toward George Bishop Parkway. "He was shook up. He didn't have blood on his head but it was on his hands. He didn't even know where his bike was.''

Cotton said the injured biker, who he guessed was in his mid 20s, later hopped on the back of a friend's motorcycle and left the scene.

The victim's helmet was found next to the motorcycle, which was in several pieces. A North Carolina motorcycle license plate was found near the scene.

Collins said highway patrol officers are investigating and are trying to locate the man. He said Horry County Fire Rescue officials were calling area hospitals to learn whether anyone was treated for injuries that could be related to the crash, Collins said.

It is not clear whether charges will be filed against the driver, Collins said.

It also was not immediately known if the motorcycle was stolen.