Biker airs gratitude to flying squad 15 years on from smash
PUBLIC URGED TO DONATE TO AIR AMBULANCE
A MOTORCYCLIST has thanked the “amazing” emergency services who saved his life after he broke his neck in a horror crash.
Paul Thomas, 61, suffered years of agony following the collision but was finally cured after undergoing a dangerous operation.
Paul, from Wallsend, was riding his bike from Keswick in April 2005 and heading towards Hartside Cafe, in Alston, when he spotted spilt diesel on the road.
He said: “I went round a bend and saw the sand covering the diesel. There were no signs out and I struggled to control the bike and it threw me over on to the other side of the road.
“There was a car coming round the corner on a tight bend and I hit the car like a bullseye head on. I fell straight across the car and smashed the car windscreen and went over the top.”
Paul had broken his neck, two thumbs, and had a bleed on the brain.
The Great North
Air Ambulance Serv ice (GNAAS) flew to the the scene and the crew put him into a medically induced coma before airlifting him to the Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle.
The father-of-one said: “I was put on drugs and the bleed went down after a couple of days and I had operations on my thumbs.
“I was quite lucky to be fair. I ended up with plasters on my hands and a neck brace and head brace.”
Despite leaving hospital after five days, he struggled with his injuries for several years.
He said: “For a long time I couldn’t reach for a tin of beans out of the cupboard and I couldn’t make a bed. I couldn’t do anything.
“It affected me a great deal and I had physio, medical treatment, acupuncture and medication.”
Paul revisited his bike to assess the damage but didn’t ride again for a few years.
He said: “The bike was in a garage at Alston, and when I first looked at it you wouldn’t think it’d been in a crash, then I looked round the front and it was completely squashed. “After a couple of years I went back on a motorbike, but if I went a long distance I was in pain and had to use heat pads and ibuprofen.”
For 10 years Paul had serious neck pain from his injury but thankfully he was able to undergo neck fusion surgery which gave him a new lease on life.
He said: “A surgeon at the Royal Victoria Infirmary said they could perform a neck fusion, but it was a dangerous dangero s operation operation, ho however e er he did it and it was fantastic. I did kickboxing and karate all my life but I couldn’t train anymore after the crash.
“Every time I punched the bag I would end up in agony for three days. I’m now back training again and go on my motorbike and back at work and I’m in no pain whatsoever.”
Although Paul can’t remember much from his incident, he has praised GNAAS for helping him in his time of need.
He said: “GNAAS are a brilliant service. I have been up on occasions to Hartside Cafe in Alston and seen the helicopter and spoken to the team. I also watch them on TV quite a lot. It’s an amazing service.”
■ GNAAS is continuing to fly through the Covid-19 crisis but needs the public to continue its support in the face of the collapse of its community fundraising activities. Please visit www.gnaas. com or call 01325 487263 if you are able to help.
When I first looked at it you wouldn’t think it’d been in a crash, then I looked round the front and it was completely squashed Paul Thomas