A MAN who watched in horror as his girlfriend fell from her bike and smashed her head on the pavement has thanked the Good Samaritans who rushed to her rescue.

Douglas Wilson and Jayne Welch, 52, had just left their home at Thorney Bay Caravan Park, Canvey, when they were in collision with a silver Ford Mondeo as they cycled along Thorney Bay Road.

A driver, dog walker, off-duty ambulance driver and community first responder all stepped in to help the distraught couple before Jayne was rushed to Southend Hospital with a head injury at about 4pm on Friday.

After a series of tests and having six staples put in her head, she was discharged later that evening.

Douglas, a care home worker, said: “Everyone who helped was brilliant.

“I can’t thank them enough. It all happened so quickly, and I was in such a state of shock I couldn’t do anything.

“I was cycling about 20 yards in front and I was knocked off my bike first, but I didn’t even have any cuts and bruises.

“I turned round to tell Jayne to be careful and noticed she was on the floor.

“The people of Canvey really rallied around.”

Jayne was bleeding from the back of her head and struggling to breathe.

Motorist Chris Marson, 30, of Ferrymead, Canvey, who was driving two cars behind the smash, got out and put her in the recovery position.

The railway worker and other Good Samaritans kept talking to Jayne to keep her awake until paramedics arrived. She is now resting at home.

Douglas added: "Luckily, I had this week booked off work as holiday, so I can look after her.

“She was quite sick on Sunday, but she's doing OK now considering what she’s been through.

“We’re very lucky it wasn’t a lot worse.

“Jayne is now petrified about going out on her bike again. We rarely cycle on the road, but we had decided to bike into Old Leigh for a change.”