'Tauranga has heart' Bethlehem man says, and he has the story to prove it

Amid the angst and anger and bad news out there, Bethlehem's John Parker says "Tauranga has heart" and he has the story to prove it.

Mr Parker and his wife, Judy, were out for a bike ride yesterday morning and were nearing the end when they hit a roadblock – one of them quite literally.

"Judy, possibly enjoying too much of the harbour views, didn't see the post right in the centre of the cycleway. She collided with it and crashed on to the concrete, laying there stunned and bleeding," Mr Parker said.

The couple – in their mid-70s – do the hour-long bike ride at least three times a week and were just 10 minutes from their car at Fergusson Park in Matua.

Mr Parker said the people who immediately stopped to assist were "amazing".

While they were waiting for the ambulance to arrive, one "knight in shining armour" stood out.

He was a Qantas airline attendant trained in first aid taking a "well-earned break", Mr Parker said.

Armed with his first aid kit, the man attended to Mrs Parker's cuts and abrasions "with great care and patience".

He stayed with the Parkers until a St John Ambulance crew from Mount Maunganui arrived. They too were "absolutely wonderful in their calm assistance".

Bethlehem's John Parker wants to thank all those who helped his wife Judy yesterday after she had an accident while out cycling. Photo / George Novak

Mrs Parker was taken to the car in the ambulance, while one of the St John officers donned her helmet and cycled the final distance to Fergusson Park with Mr Parker.

"I would like to express my thanks to all concerned," Mr Parker said.

"Yes, the people of Tauranga have compassion and heart."

He said it is good to think people in the community really do care about others. He felt it was important to get that across by sharing their story.

Meanwhile, Mrs Parker was going to take it easy for the rest of yesterday afternoon.

She was "rather sore" but did not break any bones. She just had some cuts and abrasions.

"And perhaps a big bruise where the sun doesn't shine," Mr Parker said.