Tuesday 23rd July 2013 – 11.45am – Murray MacGregor.
Ambulance bosses are renewing appeals for cyclists to wear cycle helmets.
The call comes after a Solihull woman came off her bike whilst out riding with friends in Elmdon Park on Monday night.
A rapid response vehicle, an ambulance and the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were sent to the scene after a 999 call at around 8.45pm.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “The woman was out riding on the large hill in the park when her front wheel went down a hole and she was thrown over the handlebars.
“The 23 year old suffered grazing to head and shoulder and was complaining of neck pain. She was also concussed.
“The woman was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board as a precaution.
“The HART team were sent over concerns about getting the patient to the ambulance due to the rough ground.
“Our concern is that had the woman been wearing a cycle helmet, she might well have suffered considerably less serious head injuries had she been wearing a helmet. We would urge all cyclists to wear one when they are riding.
“There is now a huge amount of research that shows that for many patients, the level of injury is significantly reduced in cases where the cyclist was wearing a helmet.
“Wearing one doesn’t mean you can be reckless; far from it. What a helmet does is provide some protection for your face, head, and brain in case you come off your bike.
“While wearing a helmet does not remove the risk of injury entirely, it does significantly reduce the extent of injury due to impacts to the head, particularly with children.
“It is important that all road users; motorists and cyclists are aware of each other and show each other respect so that all road users remain safe.”
A high profile supporter of cycle helmets is former Olympic rowing gold medallist James Cracknell. In July 2010, he was cycling in a charity event near Phoenix in Arizona when he received a direct hit on the back of his head from the wing mirror of a fuel tanker which was travelling at around 70mph.
James suffered two skull fractures leaving his brain swollen and bruised. Even today he has not fully recovered. In his own words: “If I hadn’t been wearing a helmet, I’d be dead!” Find out more by watching his video: http://bit.ly/USEYOURHEAD
Ends