Retired vicar in saddle to thank crews who saved him after crash on A49 in Shropshire
He says he is only here by the grace of God. And retired vicar Canon John Holden is determined to pay back the professionalism and kindness of the firefighters who helped save him in his time of need.
Mr Holden has got on his bike to say thank you six months after he was cut free from the mangled wreckage of his car.
The 81-year-old has cycled 50 miles for charity following a horrific two-car crash that left the A49 between Shrewsbury and Church Stretton closed, after he blacked out at the wheel.
He said it was miraculous that both he and the driver of the car he collided with escaped without life-threatening injuries, despite both having to be cut from the wreckage.
Mr Holden, who retired to Shropshire in 1998 after a career including a 12-year stint as vicar of Aston, rural dean and canon of Birmingham Cathedral, took to the lanes and hills around south west Shropshire, along with friend and veteran cyclist Jim Churton.
Setting out from the fire station in his home town of Church Stretton, and taking in places as far apart as Bishop's Castle and Stapleton, not far from where the accident happened, he said it was to raise money for the Firefighters Charity and youth workers at St Laurence's Church in Church Stretton.
He said the circumstances of the crash were still a blank to him as he had not blacked out like that before or since.
He was getting close to home, travelling down the A49 from Shrewsbury when it happened.
He said: "It's still unexplained nine months down the line. I was fine, I'd had some fluids, tea and a little bit to eat."
After being cut from his car by fire crews from Church Stretton, Shrewsbury and Wellington, he was taken to the trauma unit at North Staffordshire University Hospital in Stoke.
"They thought it was much more serious than it was," he said.
"We were both going about 40mph to 45mph – a closing speed of about 85mph – which normally would lead to damage to your internal organs.
"I gashed my left hand badly. I had a huge haematoma on my hip, cracked ribs and tendons torn but I didn't require surgery and I have made a good recovery. I'm grateful that I have been so well supported," he said.
He said the other driver, a man of a similar age, had shown "good grace" about the accident, and he thanked all those who had helped, cared for him and given moral support.
"It's been quite an experience, the whole thing," he said.
Mr Holden only began cycling regularly after his retirement, he said, as a way to keep fit.
