A CYCLE helmet saved the life of a Pontypool building contractor and now he wants to urge others to wear them.

Sean Twamley works for Melin Homes in Pontypool, but he was recently involved in an accident on his bike, and his life depended on him wearing the right safety kit.

Mr Twamley, 59, who is an experienced cyclist, suffered shoulder damage that required surgical reconstruction as well as muscle and soft tissue damage to his back and arms, when he took a corner too quickly in Cardiff.

He said: “I was going downhill too fast and wasn’t concentrating properly as I was trying to decide which route to take.

“I jammed on the brakes and my wheels locked throwing me off the bike, I bounced off the road and hit a barrier.”

Paramedics later told him his helmet had saved his life by taking the impact of the collision, and that his high-visibility cycling jacket had kept his wounds clean from gravel and dirt.

Now, Mr Twamley wants to spread the message on the importance of health and safety when cycling.

He said: “Because of this experience, I will always wear my helmet and the correct gear whenever I go out, no matter how far I go.”

His wife, Lyn, was so grateful for the safety equipment that she wrote to Aldi, where the kit had been purchased, to pass on her thanks.

Aldi was pleased to hear how well the equipment worked, and sent Mr Twamley replacement safety kit for him to use when he gets back on his bike.

Melin staff have recently set up a cycle to work scheme.

Although Mr Twamley wasn’t commuting at the time of his accident, he thinks it’s important to pass the message on to anyone who cycles.