Injured cyclist Sarah Archdale rescued from snow in Bramley Garth, Burnholme

8:09am Wednesday 6th January 2010 in News

John Pool and Colin Dodds in Bramley Garth John Pool and Colin Dodds in Bramley Garth

A WOMAN knocked unconscious in a fall from her bicycle was lucky to be alive today after a passer-by found her buried in the snow.

The red rear light of Sarah Archdale’s bicycle was the only clue that she lay injured and unable to breathe.

Mrs Archdale, 25, of Tang Hall, was mistaken for a pile of snow by driver Colin Dodds, until he noticed the cycle light glowing shortly before 7am in Bramley Garth, Burnholme, yesterday.

“When I found her, she wasn’t breathing; she was getting covered by the snow,” said Mr Dodds, 61.

“If a car had come round the corner, it could have hit her and killed her. I pulled the bike away and I tapped her cheek but there was no response whatsoever. I flagged over a man in a van and he called the emergency services and they were telling us what to do.”

The van driver, John Pool, said he had seen Mrs Archdale riding only minutes before she was found.

“We were just in the right place at the right time,” said Mr Pool. He said Mrs Archdale had been unconscious for up to five minutes before they found her, and came round about seven minutes later.

The men were told to check she had not swallowed her tongue. When Mr Dodds moved her head, she began breathing again, eventually regaining consciousness.

“She let out a gasp and her eyes began moving,” he said.

Later, recovering at home with her husband, Mrs Archdale, a care worker in York, praised her two rescuers.

She said: “If they were not there, I was in so much snow that a car could have gone over me.

“I am lucky; I am not paralysed or anything – I have just missed out on 12 hours’ pay.

“I was on my bike and the front wheel went over, and I landed on my head.

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“All I know if these guys came and apparently I was unconscious when they found me.

“They put an umbrella over me and called an ambulance.

“The paramedics said I just looked like a snowman. I have not broken anything. I’ve just hurt my neck.

“I must have been there a good 20 minutes,” she said.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said: “We received a 999 call shortly before 7am to an incident where a female was reported to be unconscious in the road after falling from her bike.

“An ambulance was dispatched immediately to the scene and the 999 call taker remained on the line asking questions to determine the condition of the patient whilst assistance was en route.

“Staff in our 999 communications centres are trained to deliver advice and instruction to callers on how to care for patients until the arrival of an ambulance which was the case on this occasion.

“The 999 call taker was able to reassure the caller and talk him through instructions on how he could provide help to the patient.

“An ambulance crew arrived at the scene less than ten minutes later and treated and stabilised the patient before transporting her to York Hospital.

“Overall, the caller coped well in what must have been a difficult situation and he should be praised for his actions.”


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Details of severe weather warnings issued for the Yorkshire and Humberside area, plus advice on what to do during periods of snow and ice.

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Comments(34)

Vauxhall Viva says...
8:22am Wed 6 Jan 10

This is why I drive and dont cycle. I find my 4x4 works especially well in this weather

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Henry Swanson says...
9:12am Wed 6 Jan 10

Cycling in this weather is insane, Ive taken to walking to work, at least that way Im safe, even if it takes me 3 times as long to get from A to B

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redr says...
9:28am Wed 6 Jan 10

Well done to the two guys who helped and thank goodness the lady had her lights on.

I saw a kid, looked like a paperboy trying to ride down Highthorne road at 7 O'clock this morning. Conditions were terrible and he was really struggling. Needless to say he had no lights on, madness. How long before we’re reading about another tragedy?

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sensationalism says...
9:34am Wed 6 Jan 10

No, it's not insane to cycle in these conditions. Many pedestrians are finding the pavements too slippery and are walking in the road, because the roads are reasonably clear. Cyclists just need to be very observant as to what they are riding on: virgin snow is great, packed snow (perhaps disguised by fresh snow) is treacherous. Salty slush is fine. I will shortly be riding 4 miles across York to work, but will have to use the busiest roads rather than my usual off-road cycle track.

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tell the truth says...
9:49am Wed 6 Jan 10

I agree with Henry.

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1speedisalluneed says...
9:55am Wed 6 Jan 10

I agree with sensationalism, cycling is perfectly safe if you are prepared for the conditions. Check your bike over before you set off and buy a good set of lights & a reflective jacket. I have cycled right through this poor weather and not had any bother.

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sciencefan says...
10:02am Wed 6 Jan 10

redr wrote:
Well done to the two guys who helped and thank goodness the lady had her lights on.

I saw a kid, looked like a paperboy trying to ride down Highthorne road at 7 O'clock this morning. Conditions were terrible and he was really struggling. Needless to say he had no lights on, madness. How long before we’re reading about another tragedy?
Shame she wasn't wearing a helmet though.....

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Taken for a Mug says...
10:04am Wed 6 Jan 10

Glad she is ok... No doubt there will be a self professed cycling guru along shortly to tell us the pros and cons of cycle helmets.

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Digeorge says...
10:10am Wed 6 Jan 10

This is ludicrous cycling in this weather obviously failed to heed the warnings of "Do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary".

Anyway, hope she isn't foolish enough to do that again and hope that she is OK. Hope though she gets sent the bill for the call out like car drivers do.

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The Cat Amongst The Pigeons says...
10:22am Wed 6 Jan 10

Cycling IS safe in this weather, driving IS safe in this weather, walking IS safe in this weather as long as you are careful and sensible. An accident like the article can happen in the finest weather so stop your childish bickering.

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sensationalism says...
10:47am Wed 6 Jan 10

Digeorge wrote:
This is ludicrous cycling in this weather obviously failed to heed the warnings of "Do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary".

Anyway, hope she isn't foolish enough to do that again and hope that she is OK. Hope though she gets sent the bill for the call out like car drivers do.
Digeorge, you seem to think that a short journey to attend one's place of work is not a necessary one? I do not intend to hibernate till February, and let down my employer, through following exaggerated warnings. What has this nation become?

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1speedisalluneed says...
10:53am Wed 6 Jan 10

sensationalism wrote:
Digeorge wrote: This is ludicrous cycling in this weather obviously failed to heed the warnings of "Do not travel unless it is absolutely necessary". Anyway, hope she isn't foolish enough to do that again and hope that she is OK. Hope though she gets sent the bill for the call out like car drivers do.
Digeorge, you seem to think that a short journey to attend one's place of work is not a necessary one? I do not intend to hibernate till February, and let down my employer, through following exaggerated warnings. What has this nation become?
My 3 mile commute is necessary as if I don't do it I don't get paid. Hope the cyclist is on the mend.

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akuma says...
11:03am Wed 6 Jan 10

I saw an Audi TT go past me at speed on the A64, seems (s)he didn't think the snow affected rich people.

A few miles later I saw the same Audi in a hedge, its seem snow does affect rich people too.

I should have stopped to see if (s)he needed help but I just laughed and kept on driving!

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Digeorge says...
11:21am Wed 6 Jan 10

Let's hope that you don't end up in A&E too.

That's why she fell off.

Sensationalism - glad to hear your work ethic is so good.

That was the police advice and yes, I have been at work in Leeds at 8 a.m. yesterday but alas not follish enough to go on a bicycle and yes, I have fallen on the ice and walk quite a way to work from the bus stop.

If she was a car driver, she would have been sent the bill through insurance. Cyclists should be no different.

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Dunc says...
11:30am Wed 6 Jan 10

What a compassionate lot some of you guys are!

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again says...
12:55pm Wed 6 Jan 10

The Cat Amongst The Pigeons wrote:
Cycling IS safe in this weather, driving IS safe in this weather, walking IS safe in this weather as long as you are careful and sensible. An accident like the article can happen in the finest weather so stop your childish bickering.
Hear, hear.

A glimmer of common sense in these parts.

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MissConstrood says...
12:58pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Cycling might be safe in this weather if everyone around the cyclist has a bit of nouse and experience in driving in bad weather conditions. Sometimes common sense has to prevail over climate and economy. All i kept seeing yesterday was people hurtling along when possible and relying on their brakes to stop them, then wondering why there were skidding all over!

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carlo83 says...
1:01pm Wed 6 Jan 10

I know the woman involved and are happy to report she is recovering well. As the article says she is a care worker who makes house visits to the sick, disabled and elderly who require 24hr care. if she doesnt make the effort to get up and go to work in the bad weather as some of you are saying who cares for the people she is supposed to be looking after? As for why she was cycling, she doesnt drive and sometimes the house calls are 4-5 miles apart and require someone to be there within 30 mins so there isnt much of an alternative to cycling.

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evelyn_trent says...
1:47pm Wed 6 Jan 10

I cycled along a 'cleared' CoYC cycle route in the city centre a couple of winters ago, hit some black ice, came off and broke my shoulder - which has never fully recovered. I no longer ride my bike because I don't trust myself and I certainly don't trust what looks like a 'cleared' road surface. Forget the bike - use either public transport, get the wellies out or learn to drive a 4x4 - if you can afford one.

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pedalling paul says...
2:59pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Needless to say, goody two pedals here, has cycled daily to the shops, to snow clear at the Community Hall which I help to manage and even into York!
OK so I have to wheel the bike along side roads to reach gritted A & B ones, then the journeys is fine.
Many motor vehicle drivers considerately accept that cyclists will be riding further from the edge of the road, due to compacted snow.
I just wish that some less considerate individuals would not pass me closely at speed, spraying me and my bike with slush. Any confessions....?

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Littlepoo says...
3:23pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Glad the woman is ok, accidents happen, that's why they are called 'accidents'.

Wonderful work by the 2 gentlemen - today you are heroes!

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rtj888 says...
3:25pm Wed 6 Jan 10

I saw a car driver beeping and remonstrating angrily at a cyclist on clifton bridge last week because the cyclist was riding on the road rather than the iced up and unrideable cycle path! I'd hope for a bit of consideration from all road users/pedestrians during the difficult conditions but i'm not going to hold my breath.

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The Cat Amongst The Pigeons says...
4:35pm Wed 6 Jan 10

pedalling paul wrote:
Needless to say, goody two pedals here, has cycled daily to the shops, to snow clear at the Community Hall which I help to manage and even into York!
OK so I have to wheel the bike along side roads to reach gritted A & B ones, then the journeys is fine.
Many motor vehicle drivers considerately accept that cyclists will be riding further from the edge of the road, due to compacted snow.
I just wish that some less considerate individuals would not pass me closely at speed, spraying me and my bike with slush. Any confessions....?
This is one of the worst examples of written English I have come across!
"then the journeys is fine." journeys? It should be either, journey or the journeys are fine. Touché Paul!

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pandaface says...
5:15pm Wed 6 Jan 10

The problem with 4x4 vehicles is that they some of them appear to adopt the i'm alright jack attitude in the snow and forget the fact that the average family car on the road need to adopt a different technique and drive much slower on the road at these time.
Its very intimidating to have a big hum dinger hogging your tailgate when you are being cautious.
We all need to take the necessary precautions and adopt the safest possible driving technique for essential trips.
I hope everyone is taking advantage of the fact that the traffic wardens are unable to issue tickets if you park somewhere where snow is obscuring the road markings.LOL
Many cars parked are snow covered and therfore they cant be booked for non display or expired tickets etc.
As the saying goes,if you didnt see it,its not illegal.and if its not written down it never happened.

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Caecilius says...
5:53pm Wed 6 Jan 10

rtj888 wrote:
I saw a car driver beeping and remonstrating angrily at a cyclist on clifton bridge last week because the cyclist was riding on the road rather than the iced up and unrideable cycle path! I'd hope for a bit of consideration from all road users/pedestrians during the difficult conditions but i'm not going to hold my breath.
It would also have been a good idea if COYC had refrained from demarcating the boundary between this cycle path and the footpath, on the Clifton side of the bridge, with sturdy three foot high wooden posts. At the very least, they should have put reflectors on them. It's not easy to see the posts in the dark, especially if there's driving rain: some of them are lost against the rising ground or passing traffic. For safety, they're almost on a par with the remarkable arrangement at the junction of Bishopthorpe Road and Scarcroft Road, where it appears you're supposed to magically transport yourself from the kerbside cycle lane on which you approach the junction, across any vehicles heading the same way and into a box on their offside.

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pedalling paul says...
7:22pm Wed 6 Jan 10

The Cat Amongst The Pigeons wrote:
pedalling paul wrote: Needless to say, goody two pedals here, has cycled daily to the shops, to snow clear at the Community Hall which I help to manage and even into York! OK so I have to wheel the bike along side roads to reach gritted A & B ones, then the journeys is fine. Many motor vehicle drivers considerately accept that cyclists will be riding further from the edge of the road, due to compacted snow. I just wish that some less considerate individuals would not pass me closely at speed, spraying me and my bike with slush. Any confessions....?
This is one of the worst examples of written English I have come across! "then the journeys is fine." journeys? It should be either, journey or the journeys are fine. Touché Paul!
OOps! Must engage brain before tryping on keyboard.

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TooRad says...
7:26pm Wed 6 Jan 10

Hoo boy, laughs a plenty! "Cycling is insane in this weather" Far from it. Bet the folk saying stuff like that haven't dared leave their house.
Takes a bit more concentration, granted, but a lot less concentration than driving that's for sure.
Losing control in a car is far worse than losing control on a bike.
Well done to the rescuers!

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petethefeet says...
11:21pm Wed 6 Jan 10

OK. Just because the council makes off-road cycle tracks for Grannies, young children and people of a nervous disposition, doesn't mean that cyclists are compelled to use them. As defined in a road traffic act of 1840, bicycles are classed as 'carriages' and therefore are entitled to travel on the highway (as are pedestrians by the way). So, if some petrolhead behind dares to blow his horn at me then be prepared to stay exactly where you are - coz I ain't moving.

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sailorsinging says...
8:31am Thu 7 Jan 10

I also know this lady. She may have to travel only a 5 minute by cycle between clients in her care worker role so it is essential she uses her bike. She did not ask for all this publicity it came to her, so get off your high horses and show some compassion for those less fortunate than yourselves. At least she is still making an effort to work during the bad weather.

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MissConstrood says...
1:28pm Thu 7 Jan 10

I admire anyone who makes an effort and her commitment to help those who need it is admirable. However, what use would she have been to them if she hadnt been found in time?

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notfooledacomb says...
2:01pm Thu 7 Jan 10

carlo83 wrote:
I know the woman involved and are happy to report she is recovering well. As the article says she is a care worker who makes house visits to the sick, disabled and elderly who require 24hr care. if she doesnt make the effort to get up and go to work in the bad weather as some of you are saying who cares for the people she is supposed to be looking after? As for why she was cycling, she doesnt drive and sometimes the house calls are 4-5 miles apart and require someone to be there within 30 mins so there isnt much of an alternative to cycling.
I also know this lady. I also admire her "dedication" at attempting to get to work to aid the sick, disabled & elderly, in the snow. Loved the bit where she said she lost 12 hours pay. An absolute angel of mercy!

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jacksonpccf says...
8:28pm Thu 7 Jan 10

I also know this lady. I'm not sure what some people expect her to do. She is a 'mobile' care worker covering a vast area of York. She doesn't drive, the distances she has to travel leaves her no option but to use her bicycle (regardless of the weather conditions). Her only other option would be to stay at home and leave her 'dependants' to fend for themselves. It's a shame there aren't more people like Sarah. At least a few snow flakes won't stop her continuing to work, unlike some people!

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Gale Force says...
9:37pm Thu 7 Jan 10

Alot of publicity indeed came this poor girls way, Sky News and all the Daily Papers .

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Driving Dave says...
11:39pm Tue 12 Jan 10

It is far safer to drive in this weather. Cycle paths are icy so bikes go on the roads which have already been narrowed to create cycle paths. This causes a hazzard, accidents and therefore delays.
4 wheels good, 2 wheels bad.

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