An OPP officer was seriously hurt when his motorcycle struck a goose during a training exercise north of Barrie, Ont.

The collision occurred on Highway 400 near the split with Highway 11, at about 9:20 a.m. on Thursday. The goose crossed in front of the motorcycle, which was unable to avoid the bird.

OPP Const. Keith Tucker struck a goose while riding on a motorcycle as part of training for how to do operate a motorcade. He was taken to hospital in serious condition, with the worst injuries to his legs.

The officer was immediately transported to Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie. An Ornge air ambulance then took him to a trauma centre at Toronto's Sunnybrook hospital.

OPP Commissioner Vince Hawkes said Const. Keith Tucker from the Niagara detachment lost control of the motorcycle after hitting the bird, which came into the bike's path in what Hawkes called a "fluke accident."

Tucker was taking part in an escort training exercise involving 14 other motorcycles.

Hawkes said most of the officer's injuries are to his legs and while he is stable, it will be "a long recovery." Tucker was wearing a vest and helmet that helped prevent other injuries.

Family and senior OPP officers were heading to the Toronto trauma centre to be with the injured officer.

Highway 11 was closed for a while in both directions in the vicinity of the crash. The southbound lanes of Highway 400 were also closed for a time, with traffic rerouted.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne said she hoped the OPP officer would be able to make a complete recovery.