‘This isn’t a film or a TV show, it’s real life... it’s my life’
Street attack victim featured on Critical Condition last week
DANIEL Vickers was left fighting for his life after being attacked in the street of his home town.
Daniel, 29, suffered severe head injuries when he was punched on a night out in Leek.
He was taken to the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s major trauma centre where doctors and nurses battled to save his life.
Now his brush with death was be retold when the first episode of the second series of 999 Critical Condition was screened last week.
Daniel, a sports therapist at Stoke City FC Academy, said: “My first memory of the treatment at Royal Stoke was when I woke up and was asked if I knew where I was.
“I was totally numb and in complete shock once everything was explained to me.
“I was only in hospital for one week, but I don’t think I realised or came to terms with what had happened until three or four months later.
“It has made me realise that you really don’t know what life is going to throw at you until something like this happens.
“This isn’t a film or television show, it is real life, it’s my life.”
Daniel, of Belle Vue Road, Leek, was assaulted outside the Co-op, in West Street, on July 19 last year.
He suffered a bleed on the brain and doctors had to relieve the pressure in
his head by drilling a hole in his skull.
A year later, following intensive physiotherapy, he is finally back on the mend, but has suffered many months of hearing and balance problems.
He said: “I have life-changing injuries and am now severely deaf in one ear and moderately deaf in the other.
“I still get headaches and dizziness, but I am determined to get back to work and live my life.
“I remember a doctor telling me when I was discharged that it would be long and slow recovery time.
“I work as a sports therapist and thought I can rehab myself, but when it’s brain and skull you have to be patient and let it take time to heal.”
The hard-hitting documentary features the hospital’s clinical teams as they confront the realities of emergency medicine.
Among those who tuned in were Daniel’s grateful mum Yvonne Smith.
Recalling the horror of that night, she said: “The whole experience was totally surreal and I couldn’t believe it was happening.
“It was incredibly traumatic and if it wasn’t for the people who treated him at Royal Stoke, he wouldn’t be with us today.
“I didn’t want to believe what they were telling me at the time, but was thankful they were honest and upfront.
“It’s such an amazing place for head injuries and I can’t tell you how thankful we are to all the doctors and nurses involved in Dan’s care.”
Tracy Bullock, UHNM chief executive, said: “The first series of Critical Condition was so well received and we are thrilled to be part of this new series.
“The series gives a unique insight into how our staff make split-second decisions, and how the whole of our hospital reacts to ensure that patients and families receive the best possible care.”
Malcolm Brinkworth, from Brinkworth Productions which made the documentary for Channel 5, said: “Working with the highly skilled staff at the UHNM was a real privilege.
“Their dedication and expertise was humbling to watch, and we hope that viewers will see the remarkable work that goes on there day in, day out.”
999 Critical Condition screened on Channel 5 last Thursday.