A DAD has described the moment he rushed to the aid of a teenage cyclist who had suffered major head injuries following a collision.

The 15-year-old boy was seriously hurt after the collision on Rayne Road, Braintree at around 8.50am on Tuesday.

Gavin Fuller, 38, was on the way to work on the Springwood Industrial Estate after dropping his daughter off at St Michael’s Primary School, when he noticed queueing traffic up the road.

He said: “At first I did not realise what was going on but as I got closer I saw there was a young lad on the ground.

"There were two ladies there with him when I arrived.

“I got down and supported his head and was trying to keep him conscious.

“He was making sounds like he was in agony.

"You could tell that he was not in a good state.

“Once the ambulance arrived I just got out of their way because they are the professionals.”

Two rapid response vehicles, an ambulance crew, a hazardous area response team and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance attended the scene.

The boy was airlifted from the yard of nearby business Ernest Doe to the Royal London Hospital, where his condition was described as serious but not life-threatening.

Mr Fuller was quick to praise the good work of people at the scene including an off duty police officer who helped.

He used the skills he had learnt on a first aid course to help.

He said: “I did first aid training about two years ago but I have never had to use it before.

“It is surprising the first thing that comes back, I just knew what to do and the adrenaline kicked in.

“I knew to keep trying to talk to him to keep him responsive and get some blankets over the top of him.

“After the ambulance crew took over we all thanked each other that we were there.

“I think that is when it really hit me and I broke down a little bit on my way to work.

"You then start to think about your own children.”

The incident took place between Francis Road and Pod’s Brook Road outside the BP garage on the road, which is used by children on their way to the nearby Tabor Academy.

A section of Rayne Road was closed in both directions as police investigated the scene until 12.30pm.