'Just stay down dude': Mike Tyson helps motorbike rider after highway smash

Motorcyclist Ryan Chesley had just been flung onto the highway bitumen after colliding with a taxi in Las Vegas — and when he looked up, injured and dazed, he saw boxing legend Mike Tyson standing over him like a guardian angel.

The 29-year-old snapped a photo of the former world champ on his mobile phone, he said, just to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.

Tyson was apparently yelling at people not to touch Mr Chesley in case they inflicted further injuries.

"You got Iron Mike Tyson sitting over you going, 'Nobody touch him!'" Mr Chesley told NBC News.

"He's going, 'Just stay down dude, just stay down'."

Tyson vanished from the scene when paramedics arrived but Mr Chesley made sure to send his newfound hero a thank-you note and fruit basket for his help after last Tuesday night's crash.

Mr Chesley reportedly suffered broken bones and tore ligaments but has been released from hospital.