A PENSIONER has thanked an off-duty pilot who came to his rescue after he fell in a town centre.

Alfred Kendall was on his way to pick up his pension in Newton Aycliffe, when he tripped on a manhole cover.

He was left in severe pain with a fractured finger.

Captain Jay Steward of the Great North Air Ambulance Service, was in town picking up a parcel for his daughter when he saw the 78-year-old lying on the pavement.

He sat Mr Kendall up and carried out medical checks before driving him to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Mr Steward said: “It’s nice to help people and I think we should all try and do our bit.”

The Newton Aycliffe resident was operated on at the hospital and is now recovering at home with help from his wife.

He made a donation to the Great North Air Ambulance Service to say thank you to the pilot of 20 years.

Mr Kendall said: “I was so overwhelmed by everyone who helped, the town looked empty but people came from all over to see if I was ok.

“I’m very grateful to Jay for his help and so pleased he was around.”