Peter Fletcher with air ambulance pilot Kevin Goddard

A cyclist critically injured in a road crash while training for a charity bike ride in aid of the air ambulance has been reunited with the pilot who helped save his life.

Father-of-three Peter Fletcher, 51, suffered multiple injuries when a car hit him on the A2 at Barham.

The Kent Air Ambulance was called and he was given emergency treatment by two doctors and a paramedic.

The pilot, captain Kevin Goddard, then flew Peter to a major trauma centre in London and he spent six months in hospital before finally being allowed home.

Now Peter, from River, near Dover, has met Kevin for the first time since the crash as he donated £3,466 to the life-saving charity.

"Meeting Kevin and his colleagues gave me the opportunity to express my sincere thanks for saving my life," said Mr Fletcher.

"Since the accident I have been involved with raising money for the air ambulance which has added to the positives in my recovery. I am now committed to supporting the charity in the future."

Mr Fletcher was training for a 450-mile bike ride from Land’s End to Dover when the collision happened in March.

In June, his family and friends - including brother-in-law Ian Sheppard -honoured his pledge to raise funds for the air ambulance by cycling from the helicopter base at Marden to Fowlmead Country Park, near Deal.

Mr Fletcher has made a good recovery and is now walking, driving and back at work.