Edging closer to Air Angels fundraising target

Jan 24 2010 by Rob Pattinson, Sunday Sun

Angels rush to aid of father and son

THIS is the wreck a father and his teenage son were lucky to escape from with their lives.

The pair were driving on roads between Darlington and Stockton when their car is believed to have hit the verge and flipped, before righting itself.

A doctor from the Great North Air Ambulance was among emergency services rushed to the scene of the crashed Blue Ford Escort this week.

After receiving initial treatment at the scene, the father was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital for treatment to non life-threatening injuries

It is understood he had suffered back injuries, while his son, aged 17, received minor cuts to his face.

Both are from the Bishop Auckland area.

A limited amount of traffic was held up on the rural through-road, as paramedics also tended to injuries at the scene.

Their mangled car was secured by police, on the road between Sadberge and Great Stainton, County Durham. The accident was reported just after 11am, on Thursday morning.

A spokesperson for the Great North Air Ambulance said: “We carry doctors in our aircraft and rapid response vehicles because of the frequency of serious incidents we attend.

“We are unsure what caused this particular crash but being able to transport a doctor to the scene of an accident is particularly important in the poor weather conditions the region has experienced recently. We believe this offers the best form of care.

“Essentially we are able to take A&E to the scene of an accident. It means treatment can begin instantly and does not have to wait until the patient reaches hospital. This has been proven to help save lives and ease suffering.

“Even though the injuries on this occasion proved not to be life-threatening, we would always rather be called to a scene than not. We offer a full range of treatment once mobilised.”

A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “We received reports of a crash near Great Stainton, just after 11am, on Thursday morning.

“Officers attended the scene and found only one vehicle had been involved, a blue Ford Escort, which had been carrying two males.

“One man was taken to hospital as a precaution but his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.”

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