A SEVERELY injured cyclist is facing a two-year recovery battle after a crash left her with a broken back.

Dorinda Gear, 35, has spoken for the first time about the accident that changed her life, and has appealed for a passer-by who comforted her to come forward.

Ms Gear, of High Oaks in Heworth, was preparing to turn into the entrance of Mecca Bingo for the start of her shift on May 15, when she was in collision with a passing Vauxhall Astra.

She was thrown from her bike and crushed a vertebrae and fractured her pelvis when she landed.

York Press:

Emergency services at the scene of the accident

The cashier and mum-of-one was in intense pain but was comforted by a stranger before paramedics arrived and is keen to trace the woman.

"As I moved across the road there was a 'bang' and I was flying threw the air," she said. "As soon as I landed I knew I had done something to my back.

"The pain was unbelievable. It was on a par with child birth.

"I was on the ground for a good 10 to 15 minutes before the ambulance got there and they took me to Leeds.

"I was pretty terrified about what I'd done. I knew it was my back and I was in so much pain that I was scared I'd broken it, which I had, and scared I wasn't going to be able to walk again.

"It's a worry at the moment because I don't know if I need an operation but I do know that it's going to be a long healing process."

Ms Gear, who lives with her partner Jon Dale, 35, and son Benjamin, five, spent five days in Leeds General Infirmary and is still waiting to find out if she requires an operation.

She will spend the next 13 weeks in a back brace and fears it could take two years to fully recover.

In the meantime, however, she is eager to speak with the good samaritan who supported her as she lay in the road.

Ms Gear, who started cycling more often last year to train for the York 10k, added: "As soon as it happened a woman came over and told me her name but I can't remember it.

"She held my hand and got everybody to stand back, then looked out for me.

"She was such a massive help because I was terrified about what was happening and what was going to come next.

"I remember her telling somebody she worked in public service, but that's it."

Are you the woman who helped Ms Gear or do you know her?

Phone 01904 567156 or e-mail alexander.ross@thepress.co.uk

North Yorkshire Police has confirmed it is taking no action against the driver of the Vauxhall Astra.