PORTSMOUTH - A scooter rider was injured in an accident on Islington Street early Tuesday afternoon.

Witnesses said the male rider tried to stop his orange Vespa scooter after the car in front of him abruptly stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk but lost control and went over the front of his handlebars.The man hit his head, causing his helmet to fly off, Portsmouth resident Eric Perkins said.

Perkins said he was walking on Islington Street toward downtown when he saw the accident happen.

Carl Diemer of Portsmouth was driving by and saw the man lying in the street with people standing around but no one helping him. He grabbed a blanket and a first-aid kit from Davies Tire and talked to the man until police and paramedics arrived on the scene.

Diemer said the man was conscious and asked Diemer to get his cellphone and call his wife and his employer.

He said the man had a large bump on his head, a cut to his nose and had scuffed up his knees. The man was transported to Portsmouth Regional Hospital by ambulance.

Portsmouth Police Sgt. John Peracchi was not immediately able to identify the victim.