79-year-old cyclist’s ‘special thank you’ to volunteers and emergency crews after airlift rescue from Fyrish Hill near Evanton

Experienced cyclist John Smallwood hails from Govilon on the outskirts of Abergavenny in South Wales.

A 79-year-old cyclist from South Wales has paid heartfelt thanks to volunteers and emergency service crews after he had to be airlifted from the top of Fyrish Hill[1], near Evanton, last week. John Aubrey Smallwood, who lives in the village of Govilon near Abergavenny, was making his descent from the summit of the iconic Ross landmark[2] with his wife, Sarah, on Wednesday May 21, when a cycling accident left him unable to move - and in urgent need of medical help. RELATED:

Cyclist airlifted off Fyrish Hill in Easter Ross after Police Scotland call in Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team and the HM Coastguard helicopter from Inverness Airport[3] Fyrish Monument could be 'dwarfed' say campaigners, as petition launched to oppose 20-turbine windfarm near Evanton[4] Fyrish monument near Alness put in frame by Ross-shire Journal reader[5]

An experienced rider with decades of cycling experience, Mr Smallwood had chosen Fyrish as part of the couple's tour of the Highlands, struck by the monument and the story behind it.

"We'd read about the monument on Fyrish Hill[6] and its construction during the Highland Clearances, giving local people work opportunities," he said. "Our day had been going well, and we had been chatting with interesting local chaps at the summit. "But we decided to make our way down through the forest, which was a big mistake. We had to lift and drag the bikes under and over fallen trees.

"Eventually we came through onto a more rideable forest track, and it was on this track - I was standing on the pedals at this point, makes handling the bike so much easier under those conditions - suddenly my bike came to a sudden halt, discharging me over the handlebars."

Fyrish Hill, noted for its iconic monument, is a popular spot with hill climbers.

Winded and in pain, Mr Smallwood immediately suspected that he had broken his ribs. His wife, riding behind him, tried to assess the damage.

"Sarah asked if I was aware of any breakages. I was in pain around my chest area.

I had a feeling that I could have damaged my ribs, and thought the best thing to do was to stay still until I was able to move, but this didn't happen." With mobile signal unreliable on the hill, the couple made the difficult decision for Sarah to leave her husband and ride down the Jubilee Trail to the car park at the bottom of the hill, where she could properly contact emergency services. While she was away, help arrived in the form of a passer-by Rachael, a young American from Boston.

"She again tried to contact the ambulance," said Mr Smallwood. "So between Sarah and Rachael, my location was determined and within half an hour a coastguard helicopter appeared." The Inverness-based HM Coastguard helicopter crew reached the scene quickly and deployed a medic to assist, but the location made it difficult to load Mr Smallwood into the stretcher safely.

X-rays at Raigmore Hospital confirmed that John had suffered three broken ribs as a result of the fall.

"A Netherlander, Hidde Van Leuven, also stopped to assist," Mr Smallwood said. "But even with his help and Rachael's, the terrain made it too difficult. So the chopper went off and returned very quickly with a mountain rescue team."

Volunteers from Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team soon arrived[7] and, working with the helicopter crew, they successfully winched Mr Smallwood aboard and flew him to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, where x-rays confirmed he had broken three ribs. "I have three broken ribs - how lucky was I?" he said. "My current position is, the pain in my chest is easing. It only hurts when I laugh, as the saying goes.

Upper body movement is a little painful but again getting easier."

Enjoying the view earlier in the day before emergency services were called to John's aid.

He expressed deep appreciation for everyone involved throughout what he called an "interesting cycle" "I am very grateful to all those caring professionals and volunteers who assisted in my recovery - with a special thank you to my wife Sarah, Rachael Lebel from Boston and Hidde Van Leuven from the Netherlands for their assistance prior to the arrival of the helicopter medic.

"I am sorry that I didn't catch the medic's name, but he was one of the very welcome crew. Thank you all, I can't praise you enough."

"Hopefully, soon we'll continue on our journey through the beautiful country of Scotland."

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References

1. ^ had to be airlifted from the top of Fyrish Hill (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
2. ^ the iconic Ross landmark (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
3. ^ Cyclist airlifted off Fyrish Hill in Easter Ross after Police Scotland call in Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team and the HM Coastguard helicopter from Inverness Airport (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
4. ^ Fyrish Monument could be 'dwarfed' say campaigners, as petition launched to oppose 20-turbine windfarm near Evanton (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
5. ^ Fyrish monument near Alness put in frame by Ross-shire Journal reader (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
6. ^ Fyrish Hill (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
7. ^ Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team soon arrived (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)
8. ^ here (www.ross-shirejournal.co.uk)