Motorcyclist injured in Kettering crash thanks air ambulance for saving his life

A motorcyclist who suffered life-changing injuries when he collided with a car in Barton Seagrave, Kettering, has thanked the air ambulance for saving his life.

Andre Oliviera said "no words can express" how thankful he is to the crew of the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance (WNAA) crew who treated him.

He was riding his motorcycle to a garage in September 2018 when a car suddenly pulled out in front of him and he had no time to stop.

Andre said: "I crashed into the car’s wheel arch and my body hit the windscreen. My helmet came off as I was thrown across the road which is why I had so many injuries to my head and neck."

He broke two vertebrae in his neck, shattered his left knee cap, broke his nose and had deep lacerations that needed over 100 stitches. Andre also suffered a stroke.

An off duty doctor came to Andre's aid at the scene before a land ambulance arrived, closely followed by the air ambulance.

When Andre saw the helicopter, he said: "That's when I realised how serious the situation was. I was really scared but as soon as the air ambulance crew arrived on the scene I had confidence in them and felt less worried."

The crew were able to give Andre an injection of ketamine, a pain reliever that most land ambulance crews are not able to administer.

Andre said: " I immediately felt more comfortable and relaxed. The crew put me at ease, we even had a laugh!

"They were so professional and acted so quickly to get me on a stretcher and ready for the flight to hospital."

It took just 13 minutes to fly from the scene of the crash in Barton Seagrave to the nearest major trauma centre at University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire.

Andre spent two weeks in hospital and went back two months later for further surgery to remove the shattered bones in his kneecap. He had to learn to walk again as a result.

As part of his recovery, Andre met the critical care paramedic, Mark Beasley, who was part of the crew that rescued him.

Andre said: "It is so important to me to be able to say thank you and shake his hand. Meeting him has made my day.

"I feel so much better now I have shown my gratitude for what the crew did that day.

Andre told Mark: "No words can express my gratitude for what you did for me that day. I don't think I'd be here now without the air ambulance. I know I was in a critical situation.

"I don't have words enough to thank you."

The air ambulance is a charity and relies on the support of the public to make lifesaving missions like this.

There are 1,800 air ambulance rescues every year between the WNAA and Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance services and each mission costs around £1,700.

The Air Ambulance Service said: "Lifesaving missions like Andres’ wouldn’t be possible without public support.

"Your local air ambulance crews are continuing their lifesaving missions through this difficult period, providing vital, critical care support to the NHS and relying solely on donations."

Andre said: "I can’t believe the air ambulance is a charity and receives no government funding. I hope my story will inspire people to make donations to keep the helicopters flying."

You can find out more about your local air ambulance and how you can support it here.