Published: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2010 4:00pm

Parents' track warning follows airlift to hospital

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THE parents of a Ballingry teenager, who had to be airlifted to hospital after falling from his bicycle on the mountainbike track being constructed at Lochore Meadows Country Park, this week warned people not to be tempted to try out the facility until it is finished.

The track is expected to be completed by April but is fast taking shape at the park and is proving a big attraction to youngsters and some not so young.

Calum Michie (16), from Kirkland Park, was in the park with some friends on Sunday 21st February and they could not resist the opportunity to try out the track which is expected to be a major attraction at the Meadows this summer.

Calum was coming down the slope when he hit a bump and came off his machine at considerable speed.

He crashed into the track and suffered several damaged teeth and facial injuries and was in considerable pain.

Such was his condition and the remote setting of the track that an air amubulance had to be called which took Calum to Queen Margaret Hospital, in Dunfermline, via the field at Carnegie College which was used as a landing strip.

Said Calum's mum Heather, "It was an experience which Calum will never forget.

"He fell heavily from his bike and sustained considerable injuries including damage to his hands and he spent four days in hospital.

"He was lucky that his friends Charmaine and Danny were able to summon help and two men Kevin McCann and Dod Reynolds were able to comfort him while calling out the ambulance service. They were quite magnificent."

Calum's dad Alan was quickly on the scene to offer assistance and this helped settle the teenager as he waited for the air ambulance.

But Heather added, "The track is not sealed off and it is like a magnet for youngsters who want to try it out although it is not ready for use.

"We would advise people to stay away from it until it is finished or another serious accident could occur."

She also thanked the air ambulance crew and staff at the Queen Margaret for the assistance they provided for Calum.

Ali Dreyer, outdoor learning officer with Fife Council, said that the track under construction was not a play area.

Added Ali, "Due to the country park setting it isn't possible to fence off the whole area completely.

"However, there are barriers and signs throughout the mountain bike trail route and at the access points to advise people that it is still under construction and is not a play area."