The elderly cyclist who fell into a six-foot deep hole in the road in Bath was treated by paramedics for his head wound while waiting to be rescued by the fire service.
Great Western Ambulance Service received a 999 call at 3.20pm on Friday reporting the man who is believed to be in his 70s, had fallen down the hole while riding his bike in Little Stanhope Street and injured his head.
A paramedic in a rapid-response vehicle was on scene at 3.23pm, closely followed by fellow paramedic and clinical team leader Andy Richardson, who climbed into the hole – with a passerby – to support the patient.
“We requested the help of the fire service to get him out – but while we were waiting, helped by a member of the public, I was able to hold him upright allowing my colleague to reach the patient,” said Andy Richardson.
“She was able to check and start cleaning his head wound – a small cut to the back of his head – also helped by two nurses who were passing. Fortunately the head would was the only injury as that was the only part of the patient my colleague could reach.”
When the fire service arrived, they placed a ladder into the hole allowing the patient to climb out unaided. He was then taken by the paramedic in the RRV to RUH for further checks as a precaution.
