A WOMAN who was airlifted to hospital following a serious fall from her bike has thanked the air medics who came to her rescue.

Hayley Crooks was left with facial and spinal injuries following the incident at Whintlatter Forest in Keswick.

She and her husband Chris Crooks were riding the red trail, their favourite route, when it happened.

Chris rang the emergency services and Keswick Mountain Rescue Team were first on scene but they quickly decided they needed the assistance of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

The GNAAS paramedic and doctor worked alongside the North West Ambulance Service to assess and treat Hayley's injuries before she was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle.

The 29-year-old broke her nose, knocked two teeth out, tore the skin from her bottom lip and damaged her lower jaw. She also compressed two vertebrae in her spine.

Hayley, from Middlesbrough, spent four nights in the RVI and had surgery on her face which included realigning her nose to help her breathe properly.

She said: “Thankfully GNAAS picked up on my back injury and my back was immobilised with a vacuum stretcher.

"I didn’t have front teeth for several months and I never really appreciated them until I lost them. Once I got my implants I had a celebratory corn on the cob.”

Following a year's recovery she and Chris tied the knot and raised £610 for the GNAAS after asking for donations instead of wedding gifts.

Hayley, an advanced practitioner at the North East Ambulance Service, said: “I’ve always supported GNAAS. It is invaluable and having been a patient it’s made me see them from a different perspective.

"We have complete admiration for everything they do. The service they provide is incredible and they help save so many people’s lives.”

Last year the GNAAS was called out 1062 times and needed to raise £5.1m. To find out how you can help, please visit www.gnaas.com or call 01325 48726.