Patients

From tragedy to triumph: Yorkshire Air Ambulance patient finds purpose after life-changing accident.

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On the 26th of June 2013, Sam Waddington from Bridlington in East Yorkshire was travelling home from work on his Motorbike when a car hit him whilst he was travelling at approximately 37 miles per hour, leaving Sam with life-changing injuries.

Sam, who at the time was employed as a sheet metal worker at a local factory, finished his shift early and hopped on his streetfighter-style Triumph Speed Triple motorbike to head home. Whilst Sam was weaving through bumper-to-bumper traffic, a car pulled out suddenly to access a slip road, ploughing straight into Sam as he passed by.

Sam was thrown from his bike, which was later found in three pieces, and passers-by including an off-duty police officer quickly sprung to action, calling the emergency services. Sam sustained many serious injuries, including a number of fractured vertebrae, broken femur, nose, collarbone, shoulder, and ribs along with many other scrapes and cuts to his skin.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance dispatched one of their helicopters and after an assessment on-scene, Sam was flown to Hull Royal Infirmary where he received lifesaving surgery before being placed into a medically induced coma for a week.

At the age of 24, Sam’s life was forever altered when his leg was amputated below the knee after doctors were unable to preserve it during his two-month hospitalisation.

Sam remembers how consultants originally told his family that his injuries were so severe that at the time of admission, his condition was really touch and go as to whether or not he would survive.

Sam was determined once he was home to commit to his physiotherapy, with his main goal to return to work. Sam recalled ‘When I was in hospital, time felt like a blur, but I knew when I was back home that would be when the real work really had to take place. I was keen to get back to work and have my normal life again’.

Sam reached his goal to return to work after an intensive 18-month recovery. However, as his life gradually regained a sense of normality, he felt his outlook on life had altered forever. Sam said, ‘I had a fresh prospective on life, and I knew there was so much out there to see… I came so close to death that I felt I had a second chance. It was time to make a change, and see the world’.

A man wearing a blue padded coat, grey shorts, brown woolly hat, and walking boots sits on a rock by some water. A small dog wearing a coat stands next to him. There are large hills in the background. The man has a prosthetic leg.

It was during his adventures across the globe, Sam met the love of his life, Amber, and the pair were soon married. The couple spent nearly five years backpacking around Europe, Asia, and America before returning to the UK to settle down. During this time, Sam also gained his personal Helicopter License and now relishes the opportunity to fly, only this time, under much happier circumstances.

Speaking on his travel memories, Sam said, ‘Sure, it would be amazing to have my leg back, but the things I have gone on to do and the people I have met and places I have seen have been incredible, and I wouldn’t have done them if I didn’t have my accident. If I still had my leg, I probably wouldn’t have met my wife, which seems so crazy to me!’.

Today, Sam works for Fletchers Group as Charity and Partnerships Coordinator. A law firm which is dedicated to supporting individuals with life-changing injuries for over 30 years.

When referring to his accident, and the people who helped to save his life, Sam said, ‘Without Yorkshire Air Ambulance, I honestly believe I wouldn’t be here today. The team were instrumental in getting me to hospital as fast as they did. Although I don’t remember much from the day, I cannot thank each and every person for their help, you have my utmost respect and gratitude.

To anybody who may find themselves in a similar situation to myself, and facing life as an amputee, just know – don’t give up on life. Things will get better, and I am living proof that with the right mindset, life can be an incredible thing, even without my leg!’.

A man wearing a blue puffa jacket, blue woolly hat, white or grey shorts, yellow socks and dark trainers is riding a skateboard and has a prosthetic leg.

Follow Sam’s adventures on his everyday_amputee Instagram page.

Read more Yorkshire Air Ambulance news.

Paralysed Former Air Ambulance Patient Takes on Ambitious Triathlon Fundraising Challenge

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Eight years after his life-changing accident, Martyn Piercy, 47, has his heart set on raising as much money as possible by creating his own triathlon challenge, to support the Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA) team that helped to save his life.

After an accident at work left Martyn with life-changing spinal injuries, the YAA team were dispatched and after an assessment on-scene, Martyn was immediately flown to Leeds General Infirmary where he was rushed into emergency 9-hour surgery.

Sadly, Martyn’s spinal injuries were too severe, leaving him paralysed from the waist down. However, after spending six months in a spinal rehabilitation unit, his positive ‘can do’ attitude ignited a determination to fight against his diagnosis and regain some movement in his legs, with a long-term aim to walk again.

A former stone worker, Martyn now considers physiotherapy his full-time occupation, seeing each day as a ‘shift’ to reach his mobility goals. Martyn said, ‘The biggest challenge for me is the mental process to keep going, taking the good days with the bad. I devote nearly five hours a day to physiotherapy exercises. I see it as an investment into my quality of life and a way to keep my life as normal as possible whilst living with my injuries’.

Determined to give thanks to the team who saved his life, Martyn has organised his own triathlon challenge around his hometown of Dalton in Thirsk, with the help of his cousin, Stephen Piercy.

The triathlon which takes place on the 7th of May has been adapted for Martyn, who will be completing a 100-metre walk in callipers, a 15-mile handcycle, and finishing with a 500-metre swim. Stephen will be supporting his cousin by completing a 6-mile run, a 15-mile cycle, and a 750-metre swim.

Stephen is no stranger to taking on athletic fundraising challenges, raising over four-thousand pounds for charity in 2019 whilst completing the Great North Run. Speaking of the decision to support his cousin, Stephen said, ‘I am incredibly proud of Martyn, his ambition and determination to complete this triathlon has been remarkable and I couldn’t be prouder. Thank you to everyone who has already donated, the money is going to an excellent charity, without which, Martyn’s injuries could have been significantly worse!’.

Tracking their training journey on fitness community platform Strava, the pair have shared training videos, training routes and personal best times. As a result, the cousins have received an influx of supportive messages cheering them on ahead of the big day.

Martyn said, ‘Throughout the years, I have always known in my heart when I was physically up to the task, that I was going to do something to give back to the YAA team. It was just a matter of ensuring I was fit enough to handle the challenge. I am forever grateful to the team, they immediately came to my aid and got me to the hospital as quickly as possible. I have no idea what would have happened to me if they weren’t there, the team saved my life that day.

I am so glad to Stephen for joining me on this challenge, he is more than family, he is a great friend, and I am so thrilled he will be there on the day by my side to keep me going’.

Initially setting a two-thousand-pound fundraising goal, in just one month, the duo has exceeded their target hitting £3,874. With a week left before their challenging triathlon, the pair are still working hard to encourage further donations and support.

Tessa Klemz, Regional Fundraiser (North), said, ‘Everyone at Yorkshire Air Ambulance is rooting for Martyn and Stephen. When we first heard of Martyn’s story there was a sense of awe in the room for how inspirational he truly is. We wish them both the best of luck for the big day!’.  

If you would like to support Martyn and Stephen, click here to visit their Just Giving page where you can donate.

Over 8,500 people across Yorkshire have received lifesaving care by the quick action of Yorkshire Air Ambulance service over the past 23 years. For further information please visit www.yaa.org.uk or to speak to the friendly team call 01422 237900.

Read more news from Yorkshire Air Ambulance here.

Couple Takes on KA-razy Fundrasing Tour to Raise Money for Yorkshire Air Ambulance in Son’s Memory

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Audrey and Sean Duxbury have taken on the London to Lisbon, Two Ball Rally, in memory of their late son Joshua Duxbury who passed away following a motorcycle accident in 2016.

On 8th October 2016, Joshua, aged 21 at the time, was travelling to work as a Chef at his mother’s popular café, Route 59 in Skipton,  when he sadly lost his life in a road collision with a Lorry.. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance crew were dispatched to the scene, however, sadly Joshua had died on impact.

Audrey and Sean are now keen to continue their son’s memory by fundraising and supporting the emergency response charity, Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The couple considered many traditional ways to fundraise, but after learning about the ‘Two Ball Rally’ tour, they knew it would have been something Joshua would have loved, and didn’t hesitate for a moment to sign up. With a strict budget of £800 as per the rally rules, Audrey and Sean purchased their 58’ plate Ford KA and began decorating it in a golf buggy theme, in homage to the last activity they ever did with their son.

The couple, who are driving as team ‘Underpar’ are documenting their journey on social media and will be dressing in different golfing attire for each leg of their trip ranging from traditional 30’s, 50’s, 70’s, 90’s and modern-day dress.

The duo set off on their trip on the 5th of April from Joshua’s favorite football club, Blackburn Rovers to make their way down to the official start of the race at the famous Brands Hatch circuit.. Joining over 37 other rally drivers at the starting line, Audrey and Sean were met by Joshua’s Aunt and Uncle who will also be partaking in the rally in a duck-themed car.

Travelling from Brands Hatch race circuit, the convoy will travel via Le Mans, Bordeaux, Burgos, and Braga, before finishing the tour in Lisbon. Upon arrival at each destination, the rally group will take part in fun challenges to collect points, and win spot prizes, all adding to the sense of adventure.

Supporters have so far donated £450 via Audrey and Sean’s Just Giving page. The married couple, who will celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary on the day they arrive in Lisbon, hope to celebrate by reaching their fundraising target of £1500.

Audrey, who is currently restoring Joshua’s Motorbike as part of her personal therapy, said, ‘We knew when we set out on this challenge that it would be a great way to honour our son, sharing in his passion for motor rallies, as he completed a tour of Dublin’s coastline before he passed away. We are certain he would have laughed at our fancy dress costumes too! Thank you to everyone who has donated to us, it means the world that we can remember Joshua whilst also supporting a charity that is so close to our hearts’.

When speaking of his fundraising efforts, Sean said, ‘Thank you to everyone who has donated so far, we miss our son every single day and doing this European tour means so much to us. Not only has the Yorkshire Air Ambulance touched our lives very closely, but many of our regulars from our Café, which is really well supported by the motorcycle community, have required it too. We hope our donation will help towards the cost of saving more lives around Yorkshire’.

North Yorkshire Regional Fundraiser, Tessa Klemz, said, ‘We are incredibly grateful to Audrey and Sean for their fantastic fundraising efforts in memory of their son, it sounds like a brilliant adventure, and I know it means so much to them. Their dedication and generosity will help us continue providing life-saving care to those most need it. We cannot thank them enough for their support and for making a difference in the lives of others’.

Firefighter fundraiser for air ambulance after bike accident rescue

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A leading member of North Yorkshire’s emergency services who has spent more than 25 years attending incidents, was himself airlifted to hospital after a serious cycling accident.

And Ben Cairns is so grateful to Yorkshire Air Ambulance that he is getting back on his bike this summer to take on an epic Italian cycling challenge to raise funds for the rapid response emergency charity.

Ben was on a normal Sunday morning bike ride with his village cycling group near Masham, North Yorkshire, when the bike’s wheels suddenly went from under him. The 44-year-old hit the road hard and knew straight away he had suffered a serious injury.

“I think I hit some diesel and landed really hard on my left side before sliding down the road,” said Ben, Group Manager Transformation at North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue. “My chest was really sore but I couldn’t move and really thought I’d broken my pelvis.”

In a stroke of good luck, Ben had come off his bike outside the house of an accident and emergency consultant who came out to help before the air ambulance arrived.

Image shows an accident scene on a wet road. There are fields and trees behind. There are a number of people in the road including six medical personnel. The appear to be tending to someone on the floor. The word 'AMBULANCE' is visible on the back of two of them. Two are wearing dark green jackets. Two are wearing yellow hi visibility jackets, and two are wearing orange jackets and trousers. There are two other people stood in the road further back. One is a gentleman wearing a black jacket and wellies. The other is a gentleman wearing a yellow and black cycling helmet , black and yellow cycling jacket, black leggings and black cycling shoes. There are a number of cars which appear to be waiting behind them.

The father-of-two from Bishop Monkton was airlifted to the nearest major trauma centre at James Cook Hospital, Middlesbrough – a journey that would have taken nearly an hour by road.

Surgeons pinned and plated a complex hip fracture. Ben was in hospital for a week and unable to weight bear for two months before starting his rehabilitation.

In June he, and five other members of the Bishop Monkton cycling club, will attempt to ride across Italy in a day – starting at sunset on the Adriatic coast with the challenge of completing more than 275km and 3,300m of ascent to reach Tirrenia, near Pisa, before sunset.

“I’ve done a couple of these Chase The Sun challenges before but, as two out of the six of us in the group have needed Yorkshire Air Ambulance, we really want to raise as much as possible to say thank you.

“I have worked with YAA for many years in my career at all kinds of incidents and it’s so very reassuring to know that when you are in that hour of need the air ambulance is there to help.”

To sponsor Ben go to http://bit.ly/3Jb3gEc. His dramatic accident also features in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER, the reality TV series which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

A man wearing a silver cycling helmet is laying down and has a red blanket and a yellow hi visibility jacket over him He has a gas and air pipe in his mouth, which he looks to be holding with his hand, which is wearing a black glove. The hand and knee of another person is visible knelt at the side of him.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s three million acres, the charity operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk plus two Rapid Response Vehicles.

 

North Yorkshire cyclist lucky to be alive after suffering heart attack on ride

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North Yorkshire cyclist lucky to be alive after suffering heart attack on ride

A cyclist who suffered a major heart attack on a Sunday afternoon ride owes his life to the quick response of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Stephen Curran began feeling unwell on his usual 25-mile bike ride from his home in Hillam, North Yorkshire. A dull ache in his shoulder became a crippling chest pain as the 62-year-old psychiatrist realised his life was at risk.

“Up to this point I’d had no heart problems and was very active so I didn’t initially have any suspicion that this was a heart attack,” said Stephen.

“But then the tightness in my chest became a crushing pain and I started to feel short of breath and a bit confused so I rang 999. As I was lying on the ground I remember thinking there was a really good chance that I might die.”

Luckily for Stephen a rapid response vehicle was nearby and Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched and at the scene in minutes. The main artery to his heart was completely blocked and medics realised he needed time-critical surgery.

The father-of-four was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary where just 45 minutes after calling 999 he was having a life-saving stent fitted.

Head and shoulders images of Stephen Curran. He is wearing a burgundy jumper with a shirt collar visible. He has short fair coloured hair and is wearing glasses. He is sitting in front of a cream coloured wall and there is a vase in the background containing white or cream tulip flowers.

His dramatic story features in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER, the reality TV series which follows the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Stephen added: “Getting to hospital so quickly literally saved my life. My cardiologist said if I had made the journey by road I probably would not have made it.

“The paramedics were so open, honest and reassuring and I’ve had such amazing care by everyone involved. I can’t thank them enough.”

After the surgery and spending three days in hospital last May, Stephen has made a good recovery and is back at work and enjoying an active lifestyle, walking and on his exercise bike each day.

Friday’s episode of Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery, airs on Quest at 9 pm. It also features a man who sliced through his ankle with a chainsaw in a DIY accident and a woman who was kicked in the face and head after being thrown from her horse.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s three million acres, the charity operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk plus two Rapid Response Vehicles.

The rapid response air emergency service relies totally on public donations and fundraising to keep saving lives.

 

Doncaster cyclist lucky to be alive after rush hour accident

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A cyclist crossing a busy rush hour road in Doncaster suffered life-threatening head injuries after being hit by a car.

Andrew Stewart had to be placed in a medically induced coma on the roadside by a critical care Consultant doctor flying with Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The dramatic efforts to save his life feature in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER, the reality TV series which follows the work of the rapid response emergency service.

Andrew was cycling home from his job as a petrol station manager when the accident happened in November 2021. He was crossing Bawtry Road, a two-direction dual carriageway, when he was struck by a car.

“I was told I’d crossed the first side and was just setting off across the second two lanes when I was hit but I don’t remember the accident at all or really anything of the month leading up to it,” said 31-year-old Andrew from Doncaster.

In 2021, 111 cyclists were killed in Great Britain and a further 4,353 were seriously injured. Andrew suffered a fractured skull and a serious bleed on the brain, as well as a badly broken leg.

Bleeding from a very deep head injury and dangerously unresponsive when Yorkshire Air Ambulance paramedics landed at the scene, Andrew was anaesthetised and put into a coma at the roadside before being taken to the major trauma centre at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

Medical staff are treating a man who is lying on a stretcher. They are in a road and an ambulance is visible in the background.

He was in a coma for three weeks and spent a further two weeks in hospital before continuing his slow recovery at home. Although back at work, Andrew’s leg injury means he has had to give up running and he is suffering ongoing effects from the head injury.

“I used to love fitness, especially running, but that’s not something I can do anymore as I have pins and a metal plate in my leg,” said Andrew. “Since the head injury, I do have more mood swings and get annoyed more easily, which is something my family and partner have definitely noticed.

“But we are all so grateful to Yorkshire Air Ambulance and all the doctors, paramedics, and nurses. Without them, I would not be here today.”

Andrew’s dramatic story features in Friday’s episode of Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery.

The programme, which airs on Quest at 9 pm, also features a young motocross rider who suffered serious injuries after being flung against a tree on a woodland trail and a nurse who needed Yorkshire Air Ambulance herself after being thrown from a horse.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire’s four million acres, the Charity operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk plus two Rapid Response Vehicles.

The rapid response air emergency service relies totally on public donations and fundraising to keep saving lives. To find out more go to www.yorkshireairambulance.org.uk

Photo caption: Andrew Stewart being treated at the scene of his accident and recovering at his Doncaster home.

Doncaster gym team help save the life of grandfather after heart attack

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The dramatic efforts of Club Doncaster Foundation gym staff and users to save the life of a grandfather is featured in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

When the 69-year-old suffered a massive heart attack during a Fit Rovers session at the Eco-Power Stadium, gym staff, and bystanders used a defibrillator and performed CPR for more than 10 minutes before emergency services arrived.

Their actions saved the life of the critically ill man who was placed in a medically induced coma at the scene by a Yorkshire Air Ambulance doctor before being rushed to hospital where he was fitted with a pacemaker.

Club Doncaster Foundation members have since raised money to buy a fourth defibrillator which can be used when visiting the charity’s community venues.

Foundation CEO John Davis said: “I was there and was incredibly proud of the way the team responded and dealt with what was a very dramatic event afterwards.

“I’d also like to thank the quick response and professional work of the emergency services, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance, which meant our Fit Rovers user got the vital care he needed on the scene.

“It really brought home the value of CPR training and having accessible, life-saving equipment. We were delighted that as a result of what happened the Foundation raised enough funds to buy another mobile defibrillator which our teams are now using in community venues across Doncaster.

The dramatic story features in Friday’s episode of Helicopter ER, made by Air TV for Warner Brothers Discovery, which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance (YAA).

The programme, which airs on Quest at 9 pm, also features a man who was struck on the head by a falling tree, a pensioner who fell off a ladder, and a cyclist who came off his bike at speed.

Photo: Emergency services work to save the life of a pensioner who suffered a massive heart attack during a gym session at the Eco-Popwer Stadium, Doncaster.

Read more news from Yorkshire Air Ambulance HERE.

Biker thankful to YAA after dramatic crash near England’s highest pub

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Experienced biker Robin Brown was riding with a friend towards the Tan Hill Inn, Swaledale, in poor visibility last January when he hit a gulley and was catapulted off his bike.

A passing car stopped and took the 62-year-old lorry driver to the Tan Hill Inn where the emergency services were called. Despite very poor flying conditions, Yorkshire Air Ambulance managed to reach the remote Dales spot 1,732 ft above sea level.

Robin was airlifted to the James Cook major trauma centre, Middlesbrough, in just 16 minutes – a journey that would have taken an hour and 20 minutes by road ambulance.

The father-of-two from Eastmoor, Wakefield, suffered a punctured lung and a broken ankle in the accident. Robin spent four months recovering from his injuries and is still having physiotherapy. But, he knows he is very lucky to have survived a high-speed crash in such a remote location. “We hadn’t done the route before and I just misread the road and hit the bank. I flew up and off the bike and was saved because I was wearing all the right equipment.

“I am also so very grateful to the air ambulance for getting to me in what were horrible conditions and then flying me to hospital so quickly. I can’t thank them enough.”

Photo of Robin Brown. The man is sat in a cream coloured arm chair or sofa and is wearing a brown polo shirt with a yellow logo on it.

Robin’s accident features in Tuesday’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Really channel programme that follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The programme, also features a teenager who suffered multiple injuries after a tyre blow-out at 70mph, a climber who fell 30ft from a rock face at Stanage Edge in the Peak District and a DIY job that went badly wrong.

Photo: Robin Brown who is lucky to be alive after a high-speed motorbike accident

Father who lost leg in forklift accident aims to fundraise for YAA

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A Humberside father of four who lost part of his leg in a fork-lift truck accident is planning to raise money for the air ambulance charity that helped to save his life.

Rob Smith’s life changed in an instant last April when he was pinned against a wall by a forklift truck while delivering chipboard to a company in Batley.

The corner of the rig went through the 37-year-old’s right knee, severing his leg. “I had managed to jump out the way but my leg was caught between the back of the forklift and the corner of the wall,” said Rob.

“When the truck pulled back and I looked down I knew it was bad. I was laid on the floor and put my head back and even though there was lots of noise around everything went quiet and black and all I could see like a little candlelight.

“That scared me and that was when I woke myself up and looking again I knew I had to do something to stop the bleeding. I was losing so much.”

Rob, who is first aid trained, did what he could to stem the blood flow himself and got horrified workers to get him a tourniquet before the emergency services arrived including Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The accident features on this week’s episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of rapid response emergency service.

Rob’s efforts and those of the medics saved his life but could not save his leg which was amputated just above the knee. After nine days in hospital and intensive occupational and physiotherapy, he has learned to walk with a mechanical leg.

He has returned to an office-based role as head of transport and health and safety for Yorkshire Plywood and is now planning to fundraise for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

“I know it is me who has experienced this but it really has hit my family big time and it’s not been until the last couple of months that I’ve realised just how much,” said Rob.

“I wanted to get back some kind of normality as soon as possible. It has been a challenge, and there’s still a long way to go but the main thing is I’m just so grateful to be here, that the kids still have their Dad.

“I can’t thank the air ambulance enough. You don’t realise just how much amazing work they do until you need them yourself and I would really like to do something to raise some money for them in the New Year.”

Photo: Rob Smith from Hessle whose leg was amputated after a forklift truck accident with two of his children Poppy and Ollie.

Read more news from YAA HERE.

North Yorkshire pensioner who had a lucky escape after log-cutting accident will appear on Helicopter ER

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A North Yorkshire pensioner had a lucky escape after being felled by a flying log in a wood-cutting accident that features in this week’s episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Forester and landscape gardener Trevor Dawson was cutting sycamore using a high-pressure log splitter machine when he was hit in the chest by a 20kg lump of wood.

The force of the impact threw the 74-year-old backward causing severe internal and external bruising.

Fortunately, the father-of-three had his mobile phone and could call a farmer friend who found him in agony on the ground and rang the emergency services. Yorkshire Air Ambulance was dispatched to the remote location near Skipton and flew Trevor to the nearest major trauma centre in Preston.

“It happened so suddenly – one moment everything was great and then the machine spat out this log and the next thing I know I am on the floor. I really thought it was the end of me because the pain in my chest was terrible,” said Trevor from Bank Newton, near Skipton.

It’s not the first time that Trevor has reason to be grateful to the rapid response charity – his wife Elaine was also airlifted a few years ago following a bad horse-riding accident. He added: “I’ve had a few accidents before but nothing as horrendous as this, and it was such a relief to see the air ambulance land.

“There was no way a road ambulance could have got to me and they were just fantastic.”

It took Trevor over a month to recover from his injuries. His accident features in tomorrow night’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Really TV series which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

This week’s episode also features the story of a boy who broke his leg after falling from hay bales, a man seriously injured in a high-speed road accident, and a farming accident involving a cattle feeder.

Photo: Trevor Dawson who was felled in a log-splitting accident at a remote North Yorkshire location

Read more news from Yorkshire Air Ambulance HERE.

Hull man, ‘lucky to be alive’ after freak wind overturns caravan, to appear on Helicopter ER.

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A Hull caravanning couple’s lucky escape will feature in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Paul and Christine Johnson were inside their caravan at a farm site near Pickering when a freak wind during the tail-end of Storm Aurora flipped it over with the shocked pensioners still inside.

Christine banged her head but was able to crawl out of a smashed window to get help from other family members on site. But, 66-year-old Paul was trapped inside, wedged painfully between the seats and kitchen units which emptied their contents on top of him.

“When the caravan was blown over there was no warning,” said the retired engineer. “One minute, I was drinking a cup of tea and the next, I was just tossed around and everything just seemed to fall on top of me.

“I was pinned down, just couldn’t move. It was so disorientating as my glasses had been knocked off and my first thought was Christine. Thankfully she was OK, and I feel very lucky to be alive too as there was a vertical knife sticking up just six inches away from me.”

Paul, who has osteoarthritis in his spine making him vulnerable to spinal fractures, was only freed when firefighters cut through the roof of the overturned caravan.

The caravan – known as the ‘Love Shack’ – was propped up against the tail bar of Paul’s car which he believes stopped it from rolling over again and miraculously he only sustained minor injuries.

And, the drama has not stopped the couple’s love of caravanning – they are just wary of travelling and pitching in windy conditions.

Their story features in Tuesday night’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning Really channel programme which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The programme also features a three-vehicle road accident which saw two people airlifted to major trauma centres, including a motorcyclist who was carrying his dog in a sidecar, and a man who suffered major leg injuries after slipping off the edge of a home renovation project.

Photo: Paul Johnson was trapped in his caravan after a freak wind flipped it over.

Read more news from Yorkshire Air Ambulance HERE.

Kent woman suffers multiple injuries in life-changing cow attack

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A Kent woman’s traumatic cow attack, in which she suffered life-changing injuries, will feature in the next episode of Helicopter ER – the reality TV series featuring the work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Stella Collins was on a five-day walking holiday in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales with her husband Geoff when she was charged and repeatedly trampled by a cow in an unprovoked attack.

Photo shows a lady, Stella Collins, laying on a stretcher in a field, whilst someone is holding her head still. They are wearing purple gloves and there are two people wearing purple gloves knelt down in the backgroun.

“I was a little ahead of my husband who had stopped to take a photo,” said Stella. “We were about 35 metres away from this herd of cows when, without warning, this large ginger and white cow charged.

“It just came thundering towards me and I heard my husband say ‘Oh no’ and I thought I was going to die because of the anguish in his voice.

“I had no time to do anything other than turn my shoulder as the cow’s head hit me and I was thrown into the air. I was like a rag doll being tossed around and repeatedly trampled.

“We were so happy to be in such a beautiful place. It was like being in a part of heaven but then, in a blink of an eye, heaven turned into hell.”

Last year in the UK five people were killed in cow tramplings and dozens more were seriously injured. Stella suffered multiple injuries in the attack, including broken ribs, a blood clot and lesions to her lungs, leg and ankle injuries, whiplash, and major soft tissue damage.

Fourteen months later, she is still undergoing weekly rehabilitation and physiotherapy and is in constant pain.

The super-active 60-year-old regularly played tennis, badminton, table tennis, and stoolball. Since the attack Stella has tried to return to sports but, after aggravating her soft tissue injuries, has been advised against activity until after further diagnostic tests.

“It is really hard,” added Stella. “I still have all this pain doing just everyday activities and am just not the person I was. I have lost my confidence and still suffer flashbacks of the cow being over me, snorting as it trampled me again and again.

“But, I know how lucky I was and I am just so grateful for the actions of the emergency services and what they did for me, particularly the air ambulance. I can’t imagine what the journey to the hospital would have been like if I had to go by road from such a remote spot.”

Photo of the head and shoulders of a lady, Stella Collins, who has shoulder length blonde hair and is wearing a multi coloured top.

Stell was airlifted to the hospital where she spent five days. Her story features in Tuesday’s episode of Helicopter ER, the award-winning  Really channel programme which follows the life-saving work of Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Serving a population of approximately five million people across Yorkshire, the Charity operates two air ambulances from airbases at The Nostell Priory Estate near Wakefield and RAF Topcliffe near Thirsk plus two Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs).

The rapid response air emergency service needs to raise £19,000 every day to keep its two helicopters flying.

Find more YAA News HERE.