A MOTORCYCLIST is thanking his lucky stars after crash - because highly trained medics were riding just behind him.

Mark Smart had attended the Air Ambulance Motorcycle Run when he was on his way home to Alresford.

But his blue and yellow Suzuki motorbike gave way, sending him sprawling violently into the road.

The motorbike landed in a nearby field and quickly caught fire.

However, the 52-year-old panel beater was lucky as the first riders on the scene after the incident were two paramedics, who are based in Oxford but had travelled to take part in the annual Essex fundraiser, and four other riders who work as medics in the Army.

Mr Smart, who takes part in the ride with his 26-year-old son every year, was treated at the scene by the other riders before paramedics arrived.

During the incident, his son kept in contact with Mr Smart’s wife, Julie, 51.

He was flown to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, for further treatment and is expected to stay at the hospital until at least the end of this week.

He sustained multiple broken ribs, a fractured collar bone, a fractured shoulder and scarring to his lung.

Mrs Smart said: “He was so lucky that the people who came behind him were who they were.

“They knew what to do and kept Mark calm before the ambulance came.

“At the time I did not get the names of any of the people because there was so much going on.

“I think one of them was called Jamie, but I really can’t be sure and I would love to reach them just to say thank you for what they did for my husband.

“For all I know, them being there saved his life.

“I am so grateful they were there, right behind him.”

The incident took place on Sunday at 4.20pm in Harwich Road, Great Bromley.

An East of England Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed an ambulance, two rapid response vehicles, an ambulance officer and an air ambulance attended the scene.

He had suffered multiple injuries.