Paramedics praise road crash hero

A HEROIC driver has been commended by the ambulance service for coming to the aid of a stricken motorcyclist.

Thomas Moore, 64, of Guys Lane, Bassingbourn, was presented with a certificate after providing first aid at the scene of a crash in Hitchin where a motorcyclist and a car were in collision.

Mr Moore said: "The rider got thrown up in the air and off his bike. I stopped my car and got out, and then adrenaline took over."

Mr Moore was approaching a roundabout when he saw the motorbike coming round it ahead of him.

He said: "I stopped to let it go past but another car continued, and I knew they were going to collide."

After asking another passer-by, Caroline Catherell, to call an ambulance, Mr Moore rushed over to attend to the rider.

"I was just talking to him all the time, and was trying to establish what his injuries were.

"He said he didn't think his legs were broken, but that he had pain in his neck and down his side, so I was worried he'd sustained some kind of spinal injury," he said.

"I've had first aid training at work, so I knew how to put him in the recovery position, and we both just kept talking to him until the paramedics arrived."

The motorcyclist was taken to Lister Hospital and treated for minor injuries.

The driver of the car was examined at the scene, but was unhurt.

Mr Moore and Ms Catherell, from Letchworth, were presented with their commendation certificates at a ceremony held at Letchworth Ambulance Station.

Duty ambulance operations manager Stewart Wilson, who attended the scene, said: "It was a pleasure to meet up with them both again and present them with their commendations.

"Their help on the day was very much appreciated."

Mr Moore said: "I was just pleased to be able to help, so it was a brilliant surprise when I got the phone call about the commendation.

"The ambulance man shook my hand and said "well done" on the day, but I didn't expect to get anything official.