Cyclist’s appeal to find good samaritan

Mark Swainson fell off his bike during the Capernwray triseries and spent half the journey suffering from a concussion.

After finishing the 500m swim the 33-year-old leapt onto his bike to finish the 20km route from the Capernwray dive centre through Over Kellet and Arkholme.

Half-way through the ride Mark began to feel lightheaded and woke up on a grass bank next to his bicycle.

The dad-of-two said: “I thought I must have fallen off my bike so I carried on.

“I saw a cyclist in front of me so I chased after him but realised he wasn’t part of the race, at this point I started to panic and wondered where am I?

“I didn’t know I was concussed, I ended up going towards Kirkby Lonsdale.

“I had no mobile phone or anything and I was thinking I really don’t know what I am going to do?”

Mark, who was already disorientated, flagged down a cyclist who was riding towards him.

The cyclist, who was on a red and white bike, came to Mark’s rescue last Wednesday.

The pair rode back to the diving centre, some miles away, where Mark met up with his friends who had been looking for him since 8pm – the race started at 7pm.

Mark said: “I can’t thank him enough. I was cycling back with him for quite a way, when I met up with my friends he rode off.

“I think he just thought I was lost and didn’t realise I was concussed at the time because neither did I.”

Mark, from Barrow, was later admitted to Royal Lancaster Infirmary at 9.30pm after he began to slur his words.

Doctors confirmed Mark had fainted during the ride and suffered a head injury, he was shortly given the all clear.

Mark said: “I just want to find this guy, I think he was called Rob and he was a local cyclist, he must have been in his late 30s.

“I just don’t know what I would have done without him, I just want to find him really and say thanks.”

Can you help Mark find this good samaritan? Please get in touch on 01524 385 932 or via email [email protected].