ON Saturday, I was travelling down a country road on my way to Haxby when I turned a sharp corner and crashed my moped into an eight-foot ditch.

Miraculously, I suffered only cuts and bruises, but I was alarmed when I climbed back on to the road to discover that no passing cars would stop for me.

I am a 17-year-old girl, and I am aware that we live in a society that has become wary to stop and help teenage girls on quiet roads, but the very kind man who finally did stop and come to my aid really helped me, reassuring me when I was distressed and taking me home to my parents.

In my shock I failed to take the man's name or address, and so this is my thank you to him - and all the other local heroes out there!

Rebecca O'Leary

York Road,

Strensall,

York.

Updated: 11:33 Thursday, July 24, 2003