A MOUNTAIN biker who was “millimetres from being paralysed” in a fall has praised the rescue teams that saved him.

Niall Love, aged 50, from Unsworth, suffered serious neck and spinal injuries in June, when he fell off his mountain bike at Clifton Country Park in Swinton.

Bolton Mountain Rescue Team (BMRT), with the help of the North West Air Ambulance and North West Ambulance Service, helped to rescue him before he was taken to Salford Royal Hospital.

He spent three weeks there, before being transferred to Southport Spinal Injuries unit.

Mr Love said: “I want to pass on my heartfelt thanks to everyone for their professionalism.

“I’ve been told how lucky I have been as – in the doctor’s words – I was millimetres away from being paralysed.

“There is a chance I will need an operation in October and, unfortunately, there will be no more mountain biking due to risk to my spinal cord.”

But he added: “I can’t thank staff enough for all their help in assisting me.

“It’s thanks to them that I can still walk.”

BMRT spokesman Garry Rhodes said: “We’re delighted that Niall is on the road to recovery.

“The rescue really showed the importance of our multi-agency co-operation.

“We had more than 20 members of staff on scene all working together to provide the right care to Niall and help ensure he was safe as he was transported to hospital.”