Family’s amazement at mystery helpers

Harry Pendlebury was out for a stroll with his son Brian when he tripped in Manor Road, Fleetwood, and fell flat on his face.

He suffered nasty injuries to his face, fingers and hands, but thanks to local residents who came out of their homes, passing taxi drivers and local shopkeepers, Mr Pendlebury, who is 86, was kept as comfortable as possible until paramedics arrived.

Grandaughter Nicola, who lives in the house next door to her grandad on Highgate, said: “He’s a bit unstable but still enjoys a walk on the seafront.

“He just tripped over but he fell head first right on his face.

“He took the skin right back to the bone and the same on his hands and fingers where he had put them out to try and break the fall.

“He’s on blood-thinning medication, so he was bleeding so much but people just stopped and helped.

“One man held my grandad up for a full hour and talked to him.

“Someone came out with a chair and a taxi driver who’s a first aider, helped with bandages and medical aid.

“She was turning fares away while she helped.

“I went to the shop to get some water and a lady there had seen what had happened and just told me to take the water and she would pay for it.

“I never got the chance to thank her properly.

“We were so overwhelmed, it was unbelievable how generous people were.

“When the ambulance arrived they even said they would replenish any medical provisions that had been used.

“From beginning to end it was amazing.

“Without the community, we would have been in trouble.”

Mr Pendlebury came to live in Fleetwood a few years ago when he lost his wife to be near his family.

An active man, only 12 months ago he was cycling 20 miles a day until he broke his leg.

Nicola added: “He’s going to be OK. He’s left the ward now and will spend some time in rehabilitation until he’s back on his feet.

“We can’t thank people enough.”