Stonington - A motorcyclist was airlifted to the trauma center at Rhode Island Hospital after his cycle collided with a school bus that was departing the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center this afternoon.

Stonington police Sgt. Bryan Schneider said the motorcyclist, a local man in his 20s, suffered serious injuries. He said police would not be releasing the man’s name until they are certain his relatives have been notified.

The crash occurred at about 2:20 p.m. when a school bus containing day campers from the Mystic Aquarium left the nature center and headed north toward Jerry Browne Road.  The motorcycle was headed south when the collision occurred, according to Schneider, who said the particulars are still under investigation.

Life Star Helicopter landed in a field at the nearby Denison Homestead at about 2:45 p.m. and took off with the passenger within minutes.  None of the children on the school bus appeared to be injured.

Chelle Farand, marketing and communications director for the nature center, said all of the children on the bus were safe and were being made comfortable at the nature center until the road was reopened.

Police reopened the road at about 4:20 p.m.