The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Horror crash survivor speaks
Rescuers praised
A father dragged to safety from the wreckage of a horror Highland smash has praised his rescuers, saying: “I am forever indebted for this second crack at life.”
Matt Jones, 40, was driving on the A82 near South Laggan, Lochaber, with his eight-year-old son Jack in the back seat when they were in collision with a car.
He wrote in a touching letter: “I can’t really begin to describe the gratitude I feel, and will always feel to you for what you did for myself and my son Jack, on that day. There are times in life when words can’t really convey enough.
“You did an amazing job and I am stunned, having seen photos of the car, that I wasn’t killed outright.
“I wish all of you the best of luck in all you do and every success in life.
“I am forever indebted to you for this second crack at life – it’s the greatest gift I’ve ever received.”
Mr Jones, a resident of Northampton, was taking his son to see the youngster’s grandparents in Glenelg earlier this year when the crash happened.
He said: “We got to Fort William about 3pm and that is literally my last memory of the day. The first week in hospital was a blur – I was on very strong pain killers.
“My memories of the day are very hazy. I went from never having broken a bone in my body to breaking an awful lot.”
Matt broke his right ankle, his left femur, his pelvis and seven ribs in the May 27 crash. He also burst his spleen, the metacarpal bones in his left hand, and his right humerus in his shoulder “shattered into pieces”.
His son, who was in the back seat, “got off lightly”, only suffering a cut to his cheek.
After seeing the wreckage of his car, Mr Jones said he was “horrified”, adding: “It did not look like there was space for a human being. The front side had gone. I think seeing the car was when I realised how bad the accident was.”
The outdoor instructor, who spent three months on crutches but can now walk unaided again, added: “I intend to do some sort of fundraising for everyone involved once I can.”
Paramedic Andy Davidson, whose crew was first on the scene, said: “The patient was trapped in the driver’s seat for about an hour. The whole front of the car had come forward to his legs. The compartment was completely crushed.”