Paramedics used a steam engine to transport a cyclist who suffered a back injury on a remote cycle path.
 
They borrowed a 1950s train to carry the man to safety after he collided with another rider between Bristol and Bath.
 
The cycle track runs alongside the Avon Valley Railway and is almost two miles from the A431 Bath Road.
 
Railway staff worked with Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS) to get the man on board.
 
Spinal Pain
 
GWAS received a 999 call about the incident at about 17:00 on Tuesday.
 
Paramedic Andy Osmond said, "The rider had gone over his handlebars and was complaining of spinal pain. We immobilised him on a stretcher, but could not get our ambulance to him. We thought about requesting the air ambulance but there was nowhere for it to land. However, there were two members of the Avon Valley Railway on scene and they called the engine driver to back up the steam train from Bitton so we could put the patient on board and take him to the ambulance."
 
The cyclist, thought to be aged in his 40s, was taken to Royal United Hospital in Bath for x-rays, but his condition was not thought to be serious.
 
Mr. Osmond said, "Obviously we would like to thank the Avon Valley Railway staff for their assistance, their help meant the patient could be transferred safely from a difficult location. Also, I've never been on a steam train, so it was quite an interesting experience."
 
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