Two mountain bikers who were injured while competing in the 125km Contact Epic Round Lake Hawea bike ride on Saturday, were riding in good company.
They landed literally at the feet of the medical profession.
Mark Williams (51), of Dunedin, broke a collar bone and ribs about 10km into the race after he fell into a large rut on the old Lake Hawea Rd, below Lookout Hill.
The road has been closed to traffic for many years and is now a farm track, with the old seal heavily broken by slips and earthquakes.
Mr Williams was helped at the scene by several competitors, including Dr Joe Sheriff, an Invercargill anaesthetist, and Wanaka paramedic Rod Walker.
Mr Williams was able to walk about 1.5km to State Highway 6, where he was met by the St John's Wanaka ambulance and taken to the Wanaka Medical Centre.
He later received attention at Dunedin Hospital.
Morgan Garandle, of Queenstown, who was competing in the open men's (18-39 years) section, fell from his bike about 1.5km from an aid station at one of the most remote parts of the course.
He was knocked unconscious and bit a piece out of his tongue.
Race organiser Danielle Nicholson said the event's safety manager Gary Dickson and Dingle Burn station owner Guy Mead were close at hand and immediately organised a helicopter evacuation.
Wanaka GP Andrew McLeod was one of the first competitors on the scene and attended to Mr Garandle for seven minutes before Aspiring Helicopters arrived to fly the patient to an ambulance.
Mr Garandle was then taken to Dunedin Hospital, where he had tongue surgery.
Mrs Nicholson said both men had since been in touch - Mr Garandle through a friend, because he cannot talk - to pass on their thanks to all the people who helped them.
"They tested our safety systems and they worked," Mrs Nicholson said.
Mrs Nicholson said the event went well for many other participants and she received a lot of positive feedback.
