Safety gear saves bikers' skin

8:52am Thursday 22nd May 2008

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Two motorcyclists have escaped serious injury after a collision in Worcestershire - and their leathers' probably played a significant part.

The two bikes crashed on a corner on the A422 north of Inkberrow near the junction for Holberrow Green.

West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene just after 7pm yesterday.

Two ambulances, an incident support officer and two community first responders (CFRs) were sent to the scene.

On arrival they found two off-duty paramedics, who had come across the incident, assessing the injuries of the riders.

Incident Support Officer, Ian Ritchie, said: "The two CFRs were doing an excellent job providing oxygen and working with our off-duty colleagues.

"Both bikes had suffered significant damage," he added.

One rider, a 46-year-old Worcester man, suffered potentially serious chest injuries.

He was immobilised using a neck collar and spinal board before being taken by ambulance to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch for further assessment and treatment The other rider, a 48-year-old man who lives in Birmingham, was complaining of foot and back pain. He was taken to the same hospital.

Mr Ritchie added: "What was significant for us was the fact that both men were wearing full protective leathers.

"Given the riders were lying some distance from the wreckage they had the potential to suffer serious abrasions from going along the road surface.

"Wearing leather very often prevents this or at least reduces the level of injury.

"We would urge all motorcyclists to invest in good quality protective equipment; it could reduce the level of injury you sustain in a crash considerably and in some circumstances has been known to save the rider's life."