A 29-year-old man who lost control of his motorcycle was thrown a distance of several metres and suffered critical injuries on Monday night, paramedics said.

The single-vehicle crash happened near Merivale Road and Kirkwood Avenue at about 9:30 p.m., paramedics said in a media release.

The motorcyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, suffered a serious head injury and "severe" facial lacerations.

When paramedics arrived he was in serious condition. By the time they arrived at hospital, the man was in critical condition.

Ottawa police are investigating.