Photo by JEFFREY HASTINGS

MERRIMACK – Merrimack police, fire and New Hampshire State Police responded to a report of a motorcycle that struck the back of a vehicle on the Everett Turnpike and flipped over several times Thursday night.

While en route, first responders were advised that several witnesses saw the motorcyclist passing vehicles and striking the back of a truck. Callers advised the heavily damaged motorcycle was in the roadway, but the operator was unaccounted for.

Police and fire who arrived at the scene at about 9:30 p.m. shut down the southbound side of the turnpike in the area of Exit 12 while they searched for the operator of the motorcycle.

Responders using flashlights and thermal cameras were searching several grassy and wooded areas. Calls came in from people who witnessed a man in a plaid shirt carrying a motorcycle helmet walking North on the Daniel Webster Highway from the Bedford Road area.

Officers located the man about 1 mile from the scene walking on the roadway, and placed him in custody. Merrimack Fire and EMS responded to the scene, and the man in his 20s walked to the ambulance.

A short time after the man entered the ambulance, a trauma alert was requested at the Elliot Hospital for an approximately 28-year-old male with injuries from a high-speed motorcycle crash. In the medical update, they advised the man was conscious, breathing and alert.

State Police are investigating the accident. At this time, it is not confirmed how many vehicles were involved.