Thankful for air ambulance's life-saving response

A manager at an mot firm who survived a devastating car crash continues to be thankful for the life-saving service provided by the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

As a result, weonlymot.co.uk is sponsoring the air ambulance’s Ride To Save Lives — a fundraising motorcycle ride, which starts and finishes at Newark Showground on September 24.

Sam Fretwell is the business development manager at the company, which has a branch in Newark.

He has made a remarkable recovery after suffering serious injuries in the accident five years ago.

The company is family run and his sister, Misch, is the commercial manager.

Since the crash, weonlymot has dedicated time to raising money and awareness of the air ambulance in all eight of its testing centres in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire, and also at events in the area to show its support.

Sam, of Eakring, was travelling along the A614 towards Clumber Park when the accident happened.

An oncoming car turned across his path, resulting in a serious accident that left him badly injured.

Several emergency services attended, including the air ambulance.

Sam was airlifted to the Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Life and death

“The only thing I can remember when I regained consciousness was the pilot stating: ‘ETA to Queen’s Medical Centre in six minutes’,” Sam said.

“That journey would take more than an hour by road.

“The first hour after a trauma like the one inflicted on me is known as the golden hour — the hour during which the speed with which you have access to emergency treatment can determine whether you live or die.”

Once at hospital, a CT scan revealed the severity of Sam’s injuries.

He had 42 broken bones in his face alone, he was blind in his right eye, an ear had been severed, he had a broken sternum and ribs, a punctured lung, a broken leg and a brain injury.

He spent four weeks in hospital and had 12 hours of reconstructive surgery, followed by months of physiotherapy.

Sam is still blind in one eye, but otherwise, has made a remarkable recovery.

He said: “This recovery, in my mind, is largely down to the amazing services of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

“All in all, it was a terrifying experience but the quick thinking of everyone who treated me got me back on my feet quickly.

“We are delighted to be supporting this charity again.

“It seems that the day they saved my life was more like five months ago, not five years.”

'Every penny raised can help us to save more lives'

Mr Jim Vickrage, of the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance, said: “We are grateful for the sponsorship from Sam and Misch at weonlymot.co.uk, which will cover the costs of hosting this year’s Ride To Save Lives.

“This means that every penny raised can help us to save even more lives like Sam’s every day of the year.

“Please support this event and sign up now as places are limited.”

The Ride To Save Lives route take riders through Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. It costs £10 per bike to take part.

To register online go to the air ambulance website