Trying to put a stop to scenes like this (From Oxford Mail)

Trying to put a stop to scenes like this

1:00pm Tuesday 27th September 2011 in News By Tom Jennings

The Fire and Rescue Service work to free the car driver while ambulance medics attend to an 'injured' biker

A severely injured motorcyclist lay under the car which had just knocked him off his bike.

The car’s front window was cracked and the motorbike lay strewn across the field.

This time it was a reconstruction.

But, according to ambulance workers, it is all too common a sight.

The accident was recreated by air ambulance and fire service crews in a bid to cut road deaths.

It took place in a field by H Cafe near Berinsfield on Sunday and aimed to raise awareness of road safety. About 100 people watched as the air ambulance flew in and – with only 10 minutes to save the biker’s life – the crew worked to get him into the helicopter.

Meanwhile, firefighters rescued the car’s trapped driver by removing the roof with a hydraulic cutter.

Event organiser Alf Gasparro, an air ambulance pilot, said: “Probably six per cent of The Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance workload is responding to motorcycle accidents.

“That equates to one or two a week, and a lot of those are serious injuries, life changing injuries and fatalities.

“There is a myth that motorcycle accidents are always caused by other road users, but the reality is that many accidents, if not most, are caused by rider’s input as well.

“This event is about providing information and feedback to the biking community about why accidents happen so that we can reduce these incidents.”

Biker Pete Gyngell, 42, of Uxbridge in Greater London, said: “It was very interesting. It makes people aware of what is involved and they maybe that little bit more cautious when they are out and about.”

Biker John Alford, 51, of Tring in Hertfordshire, said: “It makes people aware of what goes on and how important people like the air ambulance are.

“People do not realise what happens when you are in an accident and what is involved in getting you out.”

Biker David Farrance, 57, of Carterton, said: “One of my mates was saved by the air ambulance. He was under a van and if it was not for the air ambulance he would be dead.”

H Cafe owner Richard Allen, whose business is popular with bikers, said: “We are trying to get across what happens if it all goes wrong and why you need to support the air ambulance.

“I have been here 16 months and in that time we have lost four customers.

“Everytime I hear someone has come off and died my attitude is that we are going to do another awareness event here. We now do three a year.”

Mr Allen said about 1,000 people had visited the event, which was used to raise cash for the air ambulance.

The Thames Valley and Chiltern air ambulance relies on public donations. For more information or to donate, visit tvacaa.org