BETHEL – A Newry motorcyclist was in critical condition Sunday night at a Portland hospital after a late-morning crash Saturday on Route 2.

James McIlroy, 63, was airlifted from Bethel Regional Airport to Portland following the wreck that happened between 11 and 11:10 a.m., investigating Patrolman Rusty Daley said by telephone Saturday afternoon.

Daley said McIlroy was riding a 2005 Yamaha west on Route 2 toward Bethel near the intersection of North Road when a 2006 Volvo driven by Charlotte Small, 60, of Kittery Point started to pull out from North Road.

“McIlroy said he thought Small was going to come completely out and turn left and he was afraid of a crash, so he took evasive action and laid his bike down,” Daley said. “Witnesses said he hit his head pretty hard on the tar. The only thing that saved his life was that he was wearing a helmet.

A nursing supervisor at Maine Medical Center in Portland said McIlroy was listed in critical condition Sunday night.

Bethel Rescue and firefighters responded, along with Oxford County deputies and a Maine State Police trooper. Traffic backed up four miles in both directions on Route 2 while emergency workers got McIlroy into an ambulance and removed his motorcycle, Daley said. Damage to the Yamaha was estimated at $2,000.

No charges are pending, and neither speed nor alcohol were factors, Daley added.