WA’s medical profession is in shock after three anaesthetists received serious spinal or other injuries in separate bike riding accidents over nine days.

Two of the doctors — John Thompson and Bruce Powell — crashed off their bikes on the same weekend last month.

Dr Thompson was out for an early morning ride on Manning Road in Wilson when he was hit by a car and rushed to hospital on September 15.

Dr Powell, the medical director of the organ and tissue transplant program DonateLife, was competing in a charity cycling event in Victoria when he crashed at the bottom of a hill on Great Ocean Road.

A week later, Dr Andrew Heard hit a pole by the side of Paulls Valley Road in Kalamunda when riding with a colleague.

He is receiving treatment in Royal Perth Hospital.

Of the three anaesthetists, all aged in their 50s, The West Australian understands Dr Thompson has the most serious spinal cord-related injuries and is in Fiona Stanley Hospital.

Camera Icon Dr Andrew Heard hit a pole in Kalamunda when riding with a colleague. Credit: Supplied

Anaesthetist Andrew Miller, a former president of Australian Medical Association WA, said the accidents had sent shock-waves throughout his tight-knit profession.

“This is real blow to the anaesthetic community,” he said. “To see three of our colleagues seriously injured in such a short space of time is heart-breaking.

“We stand ready to help them and their families in any way we can.”

Dr Powell was taking part in his first Amy’s Gran Fondo event in honour of Australian cyclist Amy Gillett, who was killed while riding with her team in Germany in 2005.

“Get better soon Bruce Powell,” was one post on the Facebook page of cycling team Velofit. “Thank you those to who assisted last Sunday and the event staff for their care and concern. We are all counting on a full recovery to his good humour and good health.”

Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists’ councillor Chris Cokis, who is a specialist at Fiona Stanley Hospital, said the spate of accidents was unbelievable, but may reflect the number of doctors with a keen interest in cycling and fitness.

“The change rooms are full of lycra and the bike shed full of bikes,” he said. “There’s just over 500 anaesthetists in WA and we all pretty much know one another. These people are in their 50s and they’ve all suffered significant injuries. It’s terrible.”

Camera Icon Dr John Thompson was hit by a car in Wilson. Credit: Supplied

A specialist paediatric anaesthetist, Dr Thompson has worked in private practice and as a consultant to Princess Margaret Hospital.

Dr Heard is an anaesthetist at RPH and has established an airway training program and fellowship that has been running for more than 10 years.

“We’re very saddened by what’s happened to these three people, who have just wanted to get out there and enjoy themselves in their spare time,” Dr Miller said. “It’s ended in three tragic accidents.

“We don’t know all the details about what’s happened ... but it’s a reminder to all of us about how careful we have to be.”