Injured rider finally tracks down helper

Stephen Owens taking part in a mountain bike race.

A woman who witnessed Wellington man Stephen Owens being knocked from his bike says she did what anyone else would have.

Erica Cranswick had been walking her 4-year-old son to kindergarten in Havelock North on Thursday, November 13, when she heard a loud "bang" and turned around to see him rolling over the bonnet of a car.

She immediately ran over to ask if he needed an ambulance, but it was soon established he did not have any serious injuries or breakages.

"He hopped around a bit as I think his leg took some of the impact and then lay down on the road on his back," she said.

"He lay there for a bit, think he was trying to check if he had hurt himself badly, he seemed ok so he stood up and moved himself to the footpath."

A woman who had been riding her bike past the scene doubled back and offered to open her home to Mr Owens so he could have a cup of tea, and organise a ride back to Napier.

He declined and got a ride with the car's driver to Revolution Bikes in Havelock North where he was told his road bike was written off.

Once everything was under control Ms Cranswick carried on with her son to kindy, where he was able to share the importance of cycle helmets and safety with classmates.

Mr Owens had been so overwhelmed by the kindness of the two women he wrote to Hawke's Bay Today trying to track them down.

Ms Cranswick came forward after recognising his photo and reading the article on Facebook, but the second rescuer was still at large.

"They were both great, I will be giving [Erica] a call to say thank you, but that this other woman offered her house was incredible, I had a bottle of wine ready to give her but I must have gone to the wrong address. I would love to get in touch with her to show my appreciation."

While still "black and blue" from the crash Mr Owens would be back on a borrowed bike in a race around Lake Taupo next Saturday.

"The body is all right, a friend lent me a training bike as it was my training bike that was ruined," he said.

"People have been good to me all round."

-Anyone with information on the final mystery woman can contact Hawke's Bay Today by calling 06)8730810 or emailing: news@hbtoday.co.nz.