Sir, – Recently, my wife was returning home after a brief walk and was caught in a downpour.

Running towards the gate which separates the Cleveland Way from the crossroads at Heathwaite, she tripped and fell, dislocating her left shoulder. In much pain and distress she managed to get up and make it home which luckily was less than 50 yards away.

Fortunately I was able to get her to the Friarage where she was admitted and treated in next to no time.

We would like to thank Sister Sadar for her dedication and humour, Dr Simon for his skill and excellent bedside manner, and Student Nurse Alice who kept our spirits up with a supply of relevant information regarding what comes next and why, important stuff to anyone who is in great pain and unsure of procedures.

We can only hope that the couple who were sat in the white car parked at the Heathwaite – Cleveland Way junction who watched my wife running towards them, watched her fall, watched her trying to get up, and who watched her finally walk past them, that they or any of theirs are never as unfortunate to have observers like them, in their time of need.

FRANC WYKES Heathwaite, Northallerton.