After being winched to safety following a mountain bike crash, Frank kindly made a donation to the Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust. Thank you, Frank, for your generosity and for sharing your story with us. This is Frank’s story – in his words. 

On March 15 I had a bad mountain bike accident on the Wharfedale Track near Oxford. Adrian and Kaz and the pilot whose name I do not know winched me out through the trees in windy conditions and took me to Canterbury Hospital where I spent a week getting repaired.  

My injuries were diagnosed as a comminuted fracture (a severe type of bone fracture) of the left pelvic wing and a torn adductor muscle from which, largely thanks to you, I have recovered enough to get back on the bike.  

I cannot thank you enough for your unbelievably quick response and for Adrian and Kaz’s wonderful professionalism, skills and care as first responders. I was in a pretty bad way. 

I wish I knew the pilot’s name, as he/she also deserves a special mention for so skillfully managing the aircraft in difficult windy conditions during the winch out. 

Thank you for sharing your story, Frank. Your rescue team of Adrian, Kaz and pilot Ed are delighted you have recovered and are back on your bike! 
on the trail by the distance sign

The start of the day out, before the accident cut it short.