AMBULANCE crews have spent the afternoon trying to get to a mountain biker who was trying to reach part of the Clent Hills during a hailstorm.

The service was called to Walton Hill, Clent, shortly after 12.50pm today.

An ambulance crew and a rapid response vehicle initially attended.

A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “Crews were called to reports of a mountain biker who had fallen from his bike.

“Access to the rider, a man in his 30s, was difficult and he was some distance away from where the ambulance was able to park. Crews went up the hill on foot with another cyclist and found the patient who had been knocked unconscious.

“He regained consciousness, was found to have neck pain and a fractured wrist. Because of the terrain and problems with accessibility, the Midland Air Ambulance was called and the helicopter from Cosford attended.

“Crews were helped at the scene by a lady from the village, an off-duty sister at Selly Oak Hospital. Her car was able to tackle the tracks and she used it to bring supplies to the crew as they treated the patient. She even lifted a gate off its hinges to get her car nearer."

“The air ambulance, with on board doctor, arrived. The patient was placed on a spinal board. The heavens then opened, delaying the air ambulance’s flight to Selly Oak Hospital. After the storm had passed, the patient was flown to Selly Oak."