Builder highlights value of air ambulance after ladder fall

Dave Hutchings (55) was chopping branches from the top of conifer trees in his neighbour’s garden in Syston when he fell and crashed to the ground in excruciating pain.

He didn’t initially want to call for medical assistance but his wife, Mel, dialled 999 when she arrived on the scene an hour later.

The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) was scrambled as it was feared that Dave’s injuries may have required him being treated and flown to a major trauma centre with specialists in spinal injury care.

Fortunately for him, after assessment by the air ambulance critical care team at the scene, it was agreed that it wasn’t necessary and so he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary by land ambulance instead.

“The air ambulance crew were so impressive and very professional. They were brilliant and arrived so quickly,” said Dave.

“I was put on a scoop stretcher to immobilise my spine for the drive to hospital and they remained with me until we left the scene.

“I know the air ambulance is a charity and receives no government funding so I feel very guilty that they came to my rescue and then didn’t have to fly me to hospital.

“It proves that they really are there for you.”

Dave sustained wedge fractures to two vertebrae and was only kept in hospital for a day.

He returned to work after six weeks and has been able to carry on working since the accident despite ongoing back problems.

Ironically, Dave had taken part in a fundraiser for the air ambulance just a year before his accident because, as a keen biker, he feared he might need their help if he was ever involved in a road accident.

He raised £200 for the charity by riding the 880 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

“Not for one moment did I think I would need the air ambulance in the circumstances that I did,” added Dave.

“What a fantastic free service it provides.

“I feel very lucky that my injuries weren’t more serious and the helicopter was there for me should I have needed to be flown to a different hospital.” The 24/7 lifesaving air ambulance service will have clocked up 40,000 miles this month and it relies on generous donations to make these missions happen.

To find out more, visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.