Cyclist who punctured lung in crash returns to race

Andy Cross crashed in the Lake District last year

A cyclist who punctured his lung in a 112-mile (180km) race last year has returned to take part again.

Andy Cross, 47, had to be rescued by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) in August 2023 after crashing into a wall during the Fred Whitton race across the Lake District.

The cyclist ruptured his spleen and liver, punctured his lung, shattered his shoulder blade and broke multiple ribs.

He said he was "not feeling nervous" for Sunday's race, adding: "I know I’ll be going down a hell of a lot slower this time."

The Fred Whitton race is an annual cycle race over the Lake District's five highest mountain passes climbing 13,000ft (3,590km) in under 12 hours.

After Mr Cross's crash at Kirkstone Pass last year, he was airlifted to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.

He credits the GNAAS with saving his life and this year he is taking part in the race to raise money for the service.

Mr Cross credits the GNAAS with saving his life

"There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t think of the air ambulance, the paramedics and everybody who helped on that day," the cyclist from Northamptonshire said.

He also said doing this race again, and going past the spot where he crashed, could provide some "closure" to him.

"It's just going to close the circle for me," he said.