Driver praised for helping knocked-out cyclist

Sarah Archdale, 25, from York, was riding to work on Tuesday morning when she fell from her bike and hit her head. She was quickly covered by falling snow and was only spotted when driver Colin Dodds noticed the light from her bicycle.

Mr Dodds said Mrs Archdale was not breathing when he found her but she eventually regained consciousness as ambulance service staff told him what to do. The care worker was taken to hospital for treatment and was now said to be recovering at home with an injured neck.

Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust said Mr Dodds should be praised for his actions in rescuing Mrs Archdale.

A spokeswoman said: "We received a 999 call just before 7am to an incident where a female was reported to be unconscious in the road after falling from her bike in Badger Hill.

"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."

She continued: "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 10 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."

Mr Dodds said: "When I found her, she wasn't breathing; she was getting covered by the snow. If a car had come round the corner, it could have hit her and killed her."

Mrs Archdale said she was lucky not to have been more seriously injured and added: "The paramedics said I just looked like a snowman."