A CYCLIST from helped save a pensioner who fell ill on a Spanish road trip.

Paul Taylor, from Knuzden, Blackburn was on his bike a few miles south of San Sebastian, Spain’s mountainous Basque Country, when he saw another cyclist being tended to by paramedics.

David Blackburn, 76, who lives in Taunton, was taking the scenic route into the city as part of a round trip from Plymouth.

The cyclist regularly travels on the ferry from Plymouth to Santander, on the north coast of Spain, and then cycles through mainland Spain and France back home to England, a 750-mile journey.

Mr Taylor had met Mr Blackburn just moments after he had collapsed on a side road.

Mr Blackburn said: “I felt a bit faint because I was climbing up a steep hill.

“I sat down on the side road, for what he thought was 10 minutes, and looked up to see four blue lights flashing on the road in front of me and there were three police cars and an ambulance.

“The nurse stayed with me for 15 minutes and I convinced her to let me go and continue my ride.”

Mr Taylor was cycling down the same route as part of his own bike ride when he caught sight of David, who started to feel unwell.

Mr Blackburn said: “A guy came up behind me who was another cyclist.

“He asked me how I was and said he thought I didn’t look right.

“I told him I was feeling fine because I didn’t want to admit I was feeling unwell.

“Paul said I should go to the hospital for a check and up and I did as he advised.

“He took me to the hospital for a check and stayed with me for two hours while I was looked at.

“He had been so helpful that I really appreciate what he had done. He really didn’t have to.

“He spent two hours with me rather than get on with his ride. He was very considerate.”

A month on, Mr Blackburn, who is receiving medical treatment for his heart problem, has been told not to cycle until he starts to feel well again

Mr Taylor, who studied at Blackburn’s Shadsworth High School, said: “I saw a man in distress and did what any other person would do to help.”