Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gran owes Air Ambulance for saving her life
Margaret, 76, rescued after car crush
A GRANDMOTHER who was crushed by her car has told how the Air Ambulance saved her life.
Margaret Hanvey, 78, from Larne, Co Antrim, suffered fractures to numerous vertebrae and her skull.
She also broke all her ribs, collar bones, shoulder and her left arm and lost her left ear in the accident in January.
Recalling the terrifying incident which happened in front of her 16-year-old grandaughter Katie, Mrs Hanvey said: “I pulled up in front of my daughter’s house, which is on a bit of a slope, and Katie and was getting her books out.
“I looked in to pull the key out but it wouldn’t come out. I drive an automatic and if the key doesn’t come out, it’s not in park.
“I knew it was going to move so I shouted to Katie to get out of the way.
“As I turned to get away the car door hit me on the back of the head and that is the last thing I remember.”
Katie raised the alarm and was joined by a neighbour who assisted until the Air Ambulance arrived.
Margaret said: “If the Air Ambulance had not been there as quickly with their doctor and paramedic, I don’t think I would have made it. I am so thankful. “I did not leave hospital until the beginning of February and then went to a care home for two weeks.”
Margaret is now back living on her own and is using her experience to raise awareness for the great work the Air Ambulance does.
She has already raised more than £1,000 for the charity through her local art group in Larne.
She also went to the charity’s base in Lisburn, Co Antrim, to meet the team who saved her life.
To mark National Air Ambulance Week there are lots of different flag days and events around Northern Ireland to which the public are encouraged to show their support.