Nurse to rescue as cyclist is stranded

An injured mountain biker was rescued from the Clent Hills by the air ambulance – and an off-duty nurse.Rapid response crews battled a hailstorm to get to the rider, aged in his 30s, who had fallen off his bike and was knocked unconscious.

They were led to the man stranded on Walton Hill by another cyclist on Saturday afternoon but were forced to turn back and call the helicopter from Cosford because of access problems.

However, the terrain proved no match for an off-duty sister from the village, who tackled the tracks and even lifted a gate off its hinges to take supplies to the crew in her car.

The patient was taken by air ambulance to Birmingham's Selly Oak Hospital, which is where the woman works, after regaining consciousness. He had suffered a fractured wrist.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Chris Kowalik said: "Access to the rider was difficult, and he was some distance away from where the ambulance was able to park.

"Crews went up the hill on foot with another cyclist.

"Crews were helped at the scene by a lady from the village.

"She even lifted a gate off its hinges to get her car nearer."