A mountain biker who was travelling over rough terrain at high speed required urgent treatment from a team of emergency responders this week after going over his handlebars at speed.

The crash took place at the South Wales mountain biking centre at BikePark Wales.

The cyclist, who hasn’t been named, was completely immobilised by the fall after landing directly onto his head and shoulders. 

He was attended to a team of first responders including members of the Central Beacons Mountain rescue team, the Welsh Ambulance Service, mountain rescue casualty carers and members of WAST Paramedics.

“We saw that there was notable damage to his helmet and there’s no doubt that this saved his head from much greater injuries,” commented a member of the medical team.

As the result of his shoulder and chest injury, the man was placed in a vacuum mattress and taken by stretcher to a waiting ambulance. He was then transferred to the local trauma centre for a full hospital assessment.

“This wasn’t the most auspicious start on what was going to be his long weekend of cycling,” added the spokesperson, “but we hope his injuries don’t turn out to be serious and that he makes a speedy recovery.”

BikePark Wales, which is based in Merthyr Tydfil, specialises in downhill biking trails which are built into forested hillsides.  The centre has various courses for different abilities ranging from novice to professional.