An elderly woman cyclist has been seriously injured in a freak accident.
The 75-year-old was cycling along a residential road when she was hit on the head by a falling 25ft long branch from a cedar tree.
She was cycling along Broomfield Road in Chelmsford when the accident happened at 7.15pm yesterday.
Passing paramedics spotted the woman, who is from the Chelmsford area, in the road as they were leaving the nearby Broomfield Hospital and immediately went to help her.
A few minutes later firefighters who were passing noticed the ambulance crew and also stopped.
Station officer Graeme Williams said: "The branch was an actual tree in itself, it was about ten to 12 inches in diameter, it was a massive branch and about 20 to 25ft long and she took the full impact of it."
The woman was taken to Broomfield Hospital where she was today described as being in a critical state and suffering from a head injury.
The incident is being described by police as a "freak accident".
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Ian Wright at the Chelmsford traffic unit on 01245 491491
Published Wednesday, June 11, 2003
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article