THE rescue of a young cyclist who plummeted from a bridge while on his way to watch the Tour de France will feature on a BBC programme.
Keen cyclist Henry Wood, 14, was on his bike en route to see his biking heroes in Harrogate last July when he lost control at the bottom of a steep hill, plunged over a bridge and fell about 15 feet on to a stony river bank.
Stepdad John and mum Jane were with Henry at the time of the accident and had seen the Tour go through Harrogate on the Saturday. They were cycling to watch the peloton again on the Sunday.
Jane said: “We came down a very steep hill and over a bridge. I was at the back and as we were coming up the other side I saw John jump off his bike and run back.
“I then saw Henry lying on the river bank. It was very, very frightening. Henry recognised me but did not know where he was or anything about watching the Tour de France.
“He was bleeding by his helmet and was complaining of pain in his back so we were really worried.”
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched and Henry was airlifted to the trauma unit at Leeds General Infirmary where, fortunately, doctors found his injuries were not serious.
“He had concussion and a big cut across his forehead, massive grazing and bruising to his leg but he was really very lucky,” Jane said.
The drama will be shown during Friday’s episode of Countryside 999 at 11am on BBC1.
Henry, who had been visiting family friends in Harrogate, is now back in the saddle.
He is so grateful to the helicopter heroes that rescued him, that he is planning a fundraising event for the rapid response emergency charity.
Jane said: “Henry is really keen to do something to thank the Yorkshire Air Ambulance for what they did that day. It is such a brilliant service.”
The programme also features the rescue of Sally Hartley, pictured above with her daughters. She was on the roof of the High Corn Mill in Skipton, watching the race, when she fell more than 20 ft through plastic sheeting, hitting an iron table and then hitting her head on the stone floor.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance needs to raise £9,990 every day to keep its two helicopters in the air – which is equivalent to £3.6 million a year.
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