A CYCLIST who was badly injured in a fall from a canal towpath has used a Facebook appeal to track down the barge owner who helped her.

The woman, who has not been named, was injured at Apperley Bridge in June when she fell to the bottom of an embankment.

The Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team were called in to help the injured cyclist, who suffered broken and crushed vertebrae, as well as six broken ribs and a broken nose. Rescuers were helped by a barge owner to transport the patient down the canal.

Publicising the rescued woman's Facebook appeal, the CVSRT said: "During the rescue, the owner of a barge called 'Big Lil' offered to transport the lady (on her spine board) for a mile down the canal to the waiting ambulance.

"This proved very helpful and provided a very smooth ride along the water.

"The injured lady and her family are now trying to track down the 'Good Samaritan' to say thank you in person."

A CVSRT spokesman said this week the appeal had been posted to barging groups and the owner had been found.