A motorcyclist had to be airlifted after a crash with a sport utility vehicle along Route 248 Tuesday afternoon.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m. near State Road in Franklin Township. Traffic on Route 248 westbound was delayed for about an hour.

The rider reportedly suffered critical injuries, and received CPR at the scene from a passer-by who stopped, according to witnesses. His identity was not available Tuesday night.

The driver was treated at the scene for a sore wrist.

Early reports indicate the crash occurred when the motorcyclist riding a newer model Kawasaki cruiser motorcycle attempted to make a left turn from Route 248 eastbound onto State Road.

At the same time, the driver of a Nissan SUV was traveling through the intersection on Route 248 westbound, and the two vehicles collided, fire officials said.

Franklin Township said they have multiple eyewitnesses and will use that information to make a determination about how the crash occurred.

Erica Kudlesky, who was working near the crash scene at the time, said she saw the collision as it happened.

She said that she ran inside to get her phone to call 911, and when she came back, several people had already stopped to assist the rider, who she said was approximately 50-60 years old.

"He was turning left, coming from Weissport area," Kudlesky said. "She couldn't avoid it, she couldn't stop in time."

She said it appeared the rider was wearing a helmet.

The unidentified passerby reportedly gave the man CPR and that he had a pulse when crews took over.

The rider was flown by PennSTAR helicopter.

Officials from Franklin Township Fire Department, Franklin Township Police Department, Lehighton Ambulance and Palmerton Ambulance responded.

Kudlesky said that the intersection sees a higher than usual number of motorcycles due to fact that Keystone Harley-Davidson is located nearby.

Sheila Ahner, who lives nearby, said that it is difficult to make a left turn on and off Route 248 at the intersection. Two other intersections along Route 248 have been closed in recent years due to the danger of crashes involving left turns.

"My dad will sit here sometimes for 10 minutes until nothing is coming," she said. "You don't want to take that chance."