A BIKER has told how he narrowly avoided running over his friend who had just been involved in head-on smash with another motorcycle.

Nigel Weller said he made a snap decision to put his bike down after his friend came off his motorcycle and landed in front of him during the incident, in Middleton-in-Teesdale, on Sunday.

The 54-year-old, of Darlington, was one of a group of three enjoying their ride in the dales when his friend collided with another biker, who was part of a separate group travelling in the opposite direction.

The incident happened just after 1pm, on Stanhope Road, and resulted in the biker travelling in the opposite direction to Mr Weller’s group suffer serious leg injuries.

Police, fire and ambulance crews who rushed to the scene initially thought all injuries were not serious, but the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) was called when the 61-year-old deteriorated.

The man, from Newcastle, was given a blood transfusion and pain relief at the scene of the incident by the GNAAS doctor and paramedics.

He was also treated for two open femur fractures, before being flown to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he arrived in a serious but stable condition within 13 minutes.

Mr Weller’s friend, 56, who is also from Darlington, suffered two broken wrists and concussion while Mr Weller had a fractured elbow and broken finger after ditching his bike to avoid the collision.

Both men were taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

Mr Weller said he did not know how the collision happened but does not believe speed was a factor.

“We were not speeding; it was just one of those things that happened and it happened that quickly,” he said.

“When the two bikes hit I swerved to avoid it. Then my friend came off the bike so I had to flip mine so I didn’t run over him, but then of course I came off.”

The Cummins engine plant worker added: “I went flying in the air and crashed but I did not hit him – he cannot even remember anything.”

Mr Weller, who has been riding motorbikes for more than 30 years and never been in a crash, said the incident could have been a lot worse.

After being treated for his elbow and finger, he is now in a sling and will not be allowed to drive or work for at least six weeks.

However, Mr Weller said he considers himself very lucky and sent his wishes to the biker who was seriously injured.

“I have been riding bikes 30 odd years and never crashed, but I was dragged into it – flipping the bike was better than my mate getting hurt more,” he added.

“I’m just hoping the other man is okay too.”

A police spokesman confirmed an investigation to determine the cause of the crash is underway.