John M’s Story

I can only repeat my thanks for all the help I was given, I never ever thought I’d be indebted to the charity.

John M

For as long as he can remember, cycling has been a big part of John Murphy’s life. From racing as a teenager to joining local clubs, John was still going strong at the age of 75. Just two days before the accident, he had been competing in a 55-mile road race in Loughborough.

On 13 August 2024, joining five friends from the Kenilworth Wheelers Cycling Club for a scenic ride felt like another ordinary day out. They pedalled through the Gloucestershire countryside, laughing and chatting as they headed home from Blockley. But as they approached Walton Lane in Warwickshire, everything changed in an instant.

The group was descending a steep 8% gradient when John’s wheel struck a deep pothole at around 25 to 30 miles per hour. “The jolt was enough to force my right hand off the handlebar,” he recalled. “The rest, I’ve been told, was me rolling and sliding on my left side for about 30 metres.”

The crash was brutal. John suffered a broken collarbone, six fractured ribs, and a neck fracture. Struggling for breath and in agony, he was moved onto a grass verge by his friends, who immediately dialled 999 – twice. With no ambulance in sight, they began preparing to take him to hospital in a car.

Then, faint at first but growing louder, came the sound of rotor blades. “What a boost to my spirits that was,” John said. The Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) crew had arrived, landing in a nearby field, bringing critical care directly to John. Dr Stuart Maitland- Knibb and Critical Care Paramedic Matt Stringfellow administered powerful pain relief before transferring him safely to University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.

John spent five nights in hospital before returning home to begin his recovery. Seven months later, he finally got back on his bike. “It was only 20 miles but it felt incredible,” he rejoiced.

“I can only repeat my thanks for all the help I was given,” John said. “I never ever thought I’d be indebted to the charity.”