A TRIATHLETE is searching for the kind-hearted couple who rescued him at the side of the road after he was seriously injured in a cycling accident

Ben Greene, 25, was about sixty miles in to a 110 mile ride last September when he unexpectedly crashed on a road between Sible Hedingham and Wethersfield.

As he was travelling at around 35 kilometres an hour, Mr Greene's elbow was completely shattered by the impact and he eventually required four and-a-half hours of reconstructive surgery.

He said: "I was picked up by a Mr and Mrs Jones who happened to be driving past.

"They were amazingly helpful. They closed the road with cones from the back of their car, bandaged my head, which was bleeding from the impact, and waited for two hours until the ambulance arrived."

When he eventually arrived at Broomfield Hospital, in Chelmsford, Mr Greene had to be cut out of his cycling jersey which was later destroyed.

This is where he had stored Mr Jones' phone number and almost one year on has never been able to thank the couple personally.

Mr Greene, who lives in Chafford Hundred, said: "I would like to say thank you - first to surgical team at Broomfield Hospital for rebuilding my left elbow and second to Mr and Mrs Jones.

"They are residents of the area who live on a nearby RAF base."

Mr Greene's recovery process has been long and arduous. He spent seven nights in hospital and had to take a two months off from his job as a paralegal in London.

"My helmet cracked and I had to have six stitches right next to one of my eyes," he said.

"I could not see for three days. The fracture in my elbow was pretty nasty and it had smashed into many different pieces.

"I now have 20 metal plates holding it all together."

After ten months of intensive rehabilitation, Mr Greene was able to start training again with specialist coach Fiona Ford and amazingly managed to compete in the European Age Group Triathlon Championships in Estonia in July.

"It is the first time I have competed since my accident," he said.

"It is amateur level but it really is the best of the rest and I managed to finish 23rd out of 32.

"Given the year I have had I was very happy with that."

Despite his horrific injuries, Mr Greene knows it could have been a lot worse without the quick work of NHS staff and of course the Joneses.

He said: "If the impact had been on my neck or back and then it would have been game over.

"I have wanted to get in contact with the couple ever since the accident and thank them for their exceptional help.

"They supported me, a total stranger, when I needed it the most and I will be forever grateful for their kindness."

Mr Jones is believed to be a retired policeman, and may have worked for the Ministry of Defence.

If you know who the couple are, contact The Times on 01376 334343.