Wednesday 6th August 2014 – 9.30pm – Claire Brown.
A cyclist received advanced analgaesia at the side of the road before being airlifted to a major trauma centre after being involved in a collision with a car in Warwickshire.
West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to Snowford Hill inLong Itchington, Southam shortly before 5.00pm this afternoon (Wednesday). An ambulance, a community paramedic, a paramedic area support officer and critical care paramedics in the Midlands Air Ambulance from Tatenhill airbase attended the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found a cyclist off his badly damaged bicycle and a car with significant damage to its windscreen.
“The cyclist, a man believed to be in his 30s, was found to have sustained a serious shoulder and arm injury. He was given advanced pain relief at the roadside to stabilise his condition before crews immobilised him with a neck collar and spinal board.
“Once fully immobilised, the man was airlifted to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire for further treatment.
“Fortunately, the man was wearing a cycling helmet which prevented him from suffering a serious head injury on impact with the windscreen.”
ENDS
Please do not use lines such as “Fortunately, the man was wearing a cycling helmet which prevented him from suffering a serious head injury on impact with the windscreen.” You are not able to categorically state that as a fact.
The evidence for the efficacy of cycle helmets is limited to say the least. I suggest WMAS read http://www.cyclehelmets.org/
Thanks for your comment Gregory. Having spent a lot of time speaking to our staff, trauma doctors who deal with these patients, we firmly believe that it is right to encourage people to wear a helmet. Our staff have seen numerous cases where the helmet has saved the person from a serious head injury. We know that this stance upsets some people but we believe that it is a sensible precaution to take. However, we also acknowledge that it is completely up to the individual to make that choice. Hope that helps you understand our views.