A MOTORCYCLIST involved in a collision in which a cyclist died is today fighting for his life after the heroic efforts of emergency crews.

The 42-year-old man suffered six cardiac arrests following the collision in Swaffham Road, Burwell, yesterday.

He was riding a Suzuki SV650 which was in collision with a 74-year-old male cyclist who died.

A team Magpas Helimedix was among emergency crews who attended the incident, at 4.40pm, and arrived at the scene by helicopter.

They provided A&E treatment to the man and, while escorting the man to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, transferred him to Papworth Hospital for specialist treatment. He is currently in a critical condition.

Antonia Brickell, of Magpas, said: “The Helimedix team treated the man with A&E level care, anaesthetised him and continued to provide this critical treatment whilst escorting him by land ambulance to Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

“After he was stabilised, the Helimedix made the highly unusual move of transferring the patient from Addenbrooke’s to Papworth Hospital for specialist treatment. This was only made possible because the Helimedix stayed long after their shift had finished.

“They worked hard to save the man’s life, who suffered from six cardiac arrests and who’s condition was life threatening on arrival at Papworth. The man is now said to be in a critical condition.

“This incident shows just how essential Magpas is. You can be rest assured the patient couldn’t have received a better level of care.”

The Magpas Helimedix team was Dr Anne Booth with East of England Ambulance Service Trust critical care paramedic Simon Standen and volunteer paramedic Dan Read. They were on the scene for 45 minutes.

Dr Rod Mackenzie, Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Addenbrookes, leading Pre-hospital Emergency Medicine specialist and volunteer Magpas Helimedix doctor, said: “We are always deeply saddened by incidents where people cannot be saved and our condolences go to the family and friends of both patients.

“Whenever incidents like this happen, Magpas aims to provide the highest possible standards of pre-hospital critical care no matter where the incident happens or the time of day.

“Last night, the duty Helimedix team demonstrated the ethos and values of Magpas and the need for this vital service. It may perhaps be some consolation to friends and family of the person who died that they received the highest possible standard of pre--hospital critical care available.

“Through the unique relationship Magpas has with police and the ambulance service, we were able to deploy a specialist medical team by helicopter at night - the only part of the UK where this currently happens - and provide A&E level care at the road side.

“The team then worked well past their duty hours to ensure that further transfer from Addenbrooke’s to Papworth could happen without delay.

“We have already received thanks from Addenbrookes team and I want to add my personal thanks to the duty Helimedix team. They demonstrated the values and ethos of Magpas - to always make the care of patients your first concern.”