A MOUNTAIN rescue team involved in a training exercise was able to help an unconscious biker who had fallen and suffered a suspected spinal injury.

About 30 members of the Swaledale Mountain Rescue Team (SMRT) were in training on Sunday morning in Arkengarthdale, near Richmond, North Yorkshire, when police requested their assistance.

A mountain biker from Scarborough had come off his bike near Storthwaite Hall and was unconscious, the alarm being raised by his fellow bikers.

The man was approximately a kilometre from the nearest road and it was planned to stretcher him to an ambulance.

However it quickly became clear he was suffering from a spinal injury when examined by a doctor on the team.

Team members then decided to call for help from the Great North Air Ambulance which eventually transported the injured man to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough.

Paul Denning, team controller, said: "Once again the importance of regular training for mountain rescue teams has been highlighted.

"Even on a Bank Holiday Sunday our volunteer members are prepared to give up time to improve their skills.

"We were able to be on the scene of this incident very quickly and it demonstrated good partnership with the air ambulance service."