THE DRAMATIC rescue of a Kenilworth teenager sent plummeting 15ft from his bike over a bridge is set to feature in a new BBC1 series.
Keen cyclist Henry Wood was enjoying a family weekend away with mum Jane and stepdad John watching the start of the Tour de France in Yorkshire last summer.
But as the Kenilworth School pupil cycled alongside his biking heroes, he lost control at the bottom of a steep hill, went over a bridge and fell onto a stony riverbank.
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched and Henry was airlifted to the trauma unit at Leeds General Infirmary where fortunately his injuries were not serious.
Recalling the incident, Henry’s mum said: “We had seen the Tour and in particular Mark Cavandish go through Harrogate on the Saturday and were cycling to watch the peleton again on the Sunday.
“We came down a very steep hill and over a bridge. I was at the back and as we were coming up the other side I saw John jump off his bike and run back.
“I then saw Henry lying on the riverbank. It was very, very frightening. He recognised me but did not know where he was or anything about watching the Tour de France.
“He was bleeding by his helmet and was complaining of pain in his back so we were really worried. He had concussion and a big cut across his forehead, massive grazing and bruising to his leg but he was really very lucky.”
The 14-year-old is now back in the saddle and is so grateful to the helicopter heroes who rescued him, he is planning a fund-raising event for the rapid response emergency charity.
Henry’s rescue will be screened on Countryside 999 – which follows the work of the emergency services in Britain’s rural areas – at 11am on Friday.
