PRINCE Edward stopped his royal convoy in Rivington to allow rescue workers to take an injured cyclist to hospital.

New Zealand athlete Sadie Parker clipped a safety barrier at speed as she was negotiating a bend during the mountain bike race and came crashing to the ground, breaking her left leg.

Bolton Mountain Rescue volunteers and ambulance paramedics went to her aid and carried her to an ambulance.

But, as the emergency vehicle was leaving the scene, the ambulance driver found his way blocked by stewards stopping cars to allow Prince Edward's convoy through.

Prince Edward -- who had been watching the mountain bike race event -- spotted the ambulance and jumped out of his car. He stopped the convoy before waving the rescue team through.

Sadie, aged 33, was taken to an air ambulance helicopter which was waiting at a designated "heli pad" at Rivington and Blackrod High School. She was then flown to the Royal Preston Hospital where she was still detained last night. Bob Hutchinson, president of Bolton Mountain Rescue, said: "The stewards were concentrating on the royal convoy. But the Prince saw the ambulance and made sure we could get on our way." Buckingham Palace was unaware of the incident today but a spokesman said: "It sounds like typical Prince Edward."