A PARAMEDIC commandeered a bicycle to reach a teenager who suffered serious head and neck injuries after falling off his bike.

The 16-year-old boy was riding on a Darlington cycle track inaccessible by road and after the ambulance parked as close as it could, one paramedic sprinted to the scene while another borrowed a bicycle to reach the injured boy.

The Great North Air Ambulance was able to get closer to the scene and after the teenager was anaesthetised he was airlifted to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

He was in a serious but stable condition upon arrival at hospital at around 4pm yesterday (Saturday, July 26).

The medical staff on scene would like to thank the public who assisted them during their treatment by keeping onlookers away and their assistance with the transfer of the boy to the aircraft.

Do you know the injured cyclist? If so email newsdesk@nne.co.uk or call 01325-505069.