A mother is fighting for her life after she was thrown 60ft from her bike when she struck a manhole cover while cycling with her husband.
Carolyn Dumbleton, 52, of Lincoln, fractured two vertebrae in her neck and went into cardiac arrest after she came off her bike while cycling down a hill near Matlock, Derbyshire, on Sunday.
Mrs Dumbleton was given CPR by two passersby before she was airlifted to Northern General Hospital in Sheffield where she was placed in an induced coma.
It is understood Mrs Dumbleton struck a manhole cover within a pothole, which is estimated to be 6ft-wide.
Carolyn Dumbleton fractured two vertebrae in her neck and went into cardiac arrest after she came off her bike while cycling with husband Ian (pictured together) near Matlock, Derbyshire
MRI scans later revealed she had suffered severe brain damage because her brain was starved of oxygen after the crash and she was placed in an induced coma.
Doctors said her injuries would have been worse had she not been wearing a helmet.
Husband Ian and her family are now facing an agonising wait as doctors warned she might not wake up if she does not respond within the next 48 hours.
Daughter Samantha Dumbleton, 25, said: ‘When I first arrived at the hospital, the trauma team were speaking to my dad and that is when I found out how serious her injuries were.
Ian Dumbleton and the family now face an agonising wait as doctors warned Carolyn might not wake up. Pictured, Carolyn and Ian with their granddaughter Evie-Rose
‘It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to hear. She was put into an induced coma for 48 hours at first to give her body the chance to heal itself.
‘From what we understand, if she does not wake up or has any movement by Friday at 5pm then doctors say she will probably not wake up.
‘I’ve got to stay strong for my dad, for my daughter and for my mum.’
Samantha explained her parents were keen cyclists who had biked around the UK and abroad during their 32-year marriage.
The couple were cycling home from a trip to Matlock when the accident happened.
Daughter Samantha explained her parents were keen cyclists who had biked around the UK and abroad during their 32-year marriage. Pictured, Ian and Carolyn Dumbleton
Samantha continued: ‘She is the kindest person in the world and very loyal – she would do anything for anyone. She is just a 10 out of 10 decent person. Mum doesn’t deserve this.’
Samantha and her father are now staying at the hospital and will remain at Mrs Dumbleton’s bedside over the coming days.
Samantha added: ‘I want people who are on their bikes to wear helmets to stay safe. And ring or get in contact with your mum and tell her just how much you love her.’