"critically ill'' a hospital spokeswoman said yesterday.

Jamal Bailey, 17, and Percy Anderson, 30, both received serious head injuries in the collision that occurred just after 7.15 a.m. on Tuesday.

It appears that the two men collided head on when one of the men was trying to overtake a bus near Spicelands Riding Centre.

Mr. Bailey, of Southampton, and Mr. Anderson, of Warwick, were rushed to King Edward VII Memorial hospital.

A hospital spokeswoman said both men are listed as "critically ill'' in the intensive care unit.

Police said the accident occurred just after 7.15 a.m. when Mr. Bailey was travelling west on Middle Road and was believed to have been trying to overtake a bus.

The youth's bike collided with another Yamaha cycle that Anderson was riding.

He was traveling in the opposite direction.

The accident is still under investigation and witnesses are asked to contact P.c. David Ward at the Traffic Division on 295-0011.