It’s a miracle I am still here
CAR CRASH VICTIM’S RESCUE TO FEATURE IN TV DOCUMENTARY
MEDICS who performed a roadside blood transfusion on a crash victim are to feature in a TV documentary after their skill saved her.
Lucky-to-be-alive Stephanie Wilkinson, 21, was travelling with her boyfriend to the Metrocentre in Gateshead to book a holiday, when their car collided with another vehicle on the A697, 10 miles west of her hometown of Whittingham, Alnwick, on September 30 last year.
Stephanie suffered significant injuries, including internal bleeding, and had to be given a roadside blood transfusion.
Her ordeal will now be featured on a documentary highlighting the work of the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
After being given the blood transfusion by GNAAS doctor Jo Paterson, helped by GNAAS paramedic Andy Dalton and a North East Ambulance Service crew, she was flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle within 12 minutes.
Stephanie said: “GNAAS came and I remember doctor Jo keeping me calm when I was trapped in the car. When she laid me down I wouldn’t let go of her hand, and I think I hurt her hand from squeezing it.
“I’d never broken a bone in my life, and then my whole left side was smashed. I broke my pelvis, my breast bone, had a lacerated liver, my spleen was swollen, I punctured my left lung, the top of my arm was broken, a few fingers were broken, and the most serious injury was the bottom of my leg where the bone had come through my skin and shattered in half. My boyfriend just had a scratch.”
Stephanie was treated in hospital for two months and had much of her left side rebuilt with metal plates, bolts and nails.
She wasn’t able to walk on her left leg for six months due to the bone not healing properly, but after several surgeries, she is now able to use crutches when walking, and uses a wheelchair for longer distances.
Her story will be featured in Emergency Helicopter Medics on June 10. The More4 series, shown on Sundays at 9pm, which follows the work of GNAAS throughout last summer.
Stephanie believes that without the help of the GNAAS, she would not have survived.
“I wouldn’t have made it to hospital by road. They were really quick and I owe it to them.
“They are a great service and everyone should fundraise more for them, they are under-appreciated, until something bad happens, people don’t understand how much they need them.”
Stephanie will be one of the hundreds of guests at the Darlington-based charity’s annual Air Angels Ball which takes place on June 16 at the Hilton Newcastle Gateshead.
To find out more, or to buy tickets for the ball, please visit www. gnaas.com or call 01325 487263.
Until something bad happens, people don’t understand how much they need them Stephanie Wilkinson