Over the past two days, Tasmania Police has responded to three mountain bike crashes at Derby.

The first occurred on Friday where a man riding on Air Ya Garn trail reported receiving chest injuries from his crash, approximately 50m from Trail Head. He was flown by rescue helicopter from the scene after being treated by Ambulance Tasmania.

Today has also been a busy day for rescue services at the Derby Mountain Bike trails with emergency services responding to two separate calls for assistance within an hour.

Tasmania Police, along with five State Emergency Service volunteers aided by two Ambulance Tasmania paramedics and volunteers responded to calls for assistance for injured mountain bike riders on separate trails.  The first at 11:30 am on a trail known as Flickity Sticks Upper, related to a 56 year West Australian man who crashed and received non life threatening injuries.

After completing that rescue, Tasmania Police was alerted to the second incident at 11:42 am on a trail known as Kumma-Gutza.  This involved a 12 year old Southern Tasmanian boy reported to have crashed with non life threatening injuries.

Inspector Darren Hopkins said that mountain bike riding can be enjoyable but reminded the community that it is not without risk.

“Some of the injuries received by riders can be as serious as those received in car crashes,” Inspector Hopkins said.

“Riders are reminded to have a plan in the event that they are injured from a crash.   Ensure someone knows where you are riding and when you were due out, so that if a rider is injured, a rescue can start immediately.

“Alternatively take a personal locator beacon or mobile phone with you if riding alone so assistance can be sought from emergency services.   What is important, given the number of trails and the length of them, is to provide emergency services with an accurate location on the trail of the crash so that assistance can be provided sooner.”