Life-savers in the skies

Jun 14 2009 by Ian Robson, Sunday Sun

LOOK, up in the sky, is it a bird, is it a plane? No, and it’s not Superman either, but the heroes of the Northern skies flying to the rescue of injured patients.

The pilots and doctors of the Great North Air Ambulance are the stars of the new TV series Air Medics.

Cameras follow crews of the three helicopters run by the charity as they go about the daily business of saving lives.

The air medics make a difference. Just ask fireman Paul Marshall, after he was airlifted to hospital following a horrific crash.

He believes he could have been paralysed for life if it had not been for the aerial ambulance.

Paul, who is featured in the first episode of the BBC1 series, explains what happened.

He said: "I was racing my bike in a motocross event.

"I did what we call a Superman – head down as if you are flying – heading for a jump. It’s a move I have done a thousand times before with no problems whatsoever, but this time I landed awkwardly. I could not turn and I realised I could not feel my legs."

One of the Great North Air Ambulances was called to take Paul, 38, of Bishop Auckland, County Durham, to hospital with spinal and pelvic injuries. He said: "I was very lucky. There was nothing holding me together apart from muscle. I was very close to being permanently paralysed.

"The main things in my favour was the smooth ride in the helicopter – a road trip could have worsened my condition – and the fact there are doctors on board who were able to start work immediately.

"I can’t put into words how grateful I am to the Great North Air Ambulance. It was like winning the lottery when I was able to feel my legs again."

Another patient grateful for the charity is Luke Bartram, 18, of Coxhoe, County Durham, featured in a later episode.

He suffered massive injuries when he was hit by a motorcycle while crossing the road.

He was barely recognisable as his mum Janet, 49, arrived at the scene minutes later. Luke, who still needs dental treatment following the accident, said: "I don’t remember anything of what happened.

"But I had two broken legs, a broken jaw, 11 teeth were knocked out, and my head was split open.

"I am grateful. The air ambulance was a godsend. They were great, great.

"I was bleeding heavily when they arrived and learned later I had lost three pints of blood."

Again, crucially, it was the speed of the helicopter combined with the attendance of a doctor that made a difference.