Biker owes life to air ambulance
A BIKER who suffered horrific injuries after being flung from his machine into a ditch said it was the loud noise of the throttle that alerted a nearby farmer to the accident.
Anthony Baxter was knocked unconscious after breaking his back in two places, breaking his neck and fracturing his skull and ribs.
He also suffered a bleed on the brain and a collapsed lung after his bike careered off the road in Abergele, Conwy.
The 38-year-old fromm Anglesey said he was dis- covered by a farm hand who came out to investigate the loud noise that was coming from the vehi- cle
He has no memory off the accident or the treatment he received afterwards, but says he owess his life to the Wales Airr Ambulance crews whoo saved him by flying him too Ysbyty Gwynedd.
Anthony said: “I will never be able to repay the debt I owe to the crew who saved my life. I cannot help but cry when I read about Wales Air Ambulance. “I will forever be grateful to them.” Computer engineer Anthony said he has no idea how he lost control of his motorbike but believes there were no other vehicles involved.
He said: “I was told that I landed in a ditch, and the only reason anyone spotted me is because the throttle on my motorbike was making a heck of a noise.
“A farm hand on the next road over wondered what the noise was and found me. If he hadn’t I don’t think I’d be here today.
“To say I’m lucky is an understatement.”
Anthony said the memory of his time in hospital was “incredibly hazy” and he can only remember waking up in hospital with his parents by his side.
Remarkably, he made a full recovery from the accident but had to wear a back brace while he recovered from his serious injuries. It took him between six and seven months to hop back on a motorb bike again.
He said: “I was a bit nervous about how I’d feel about riding again, but my first ride was one of the best I’ve ever had.
“I’m fully recovered but. I a am more emotional than I used to be, which apparently is a common sidee effect of major traumas.”
The Welsh Air Ambul lance is one of the busiest a air ambulance services in E Europe and is funded by charitable donations.
It needs £6m a year needed to keep its helicopters flying.
Each lifesaving mission is funded by the people of Wales, and each mission costs on average £1,500.
Their helicopters can be anywhere in Wales within 20 minutes and can reach rural, hard-to-reach landscapes.
Anthony added: “I will do anything I can to help the charity. I donate money each month to Wales Air Ambulance and buy lottery tickets.”