The family of a soldier who was airlifted after an accident at an army base in Cumbria has thanked the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who flew to his aid.
Josh Osborne, 22, from Morpeth, suffered back, chest and facial injuries when a military vehicle rolled over at Warcop Training Area, near Appleby, on June 4.
GNAAS were tasked with flying to the base and assessed the casualties before airlifting Mr Osborne to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. Two other soldiers were injured in the accident and sadly Sergeant Mark Foley died.
Josh’s father, Colin Osborne, said: “His recovery so far has been remarkable. I know without the prompt attention of the air ambulance things could have been different. I believe it was 35 minutes from the initial call to arriving at James Cook which is a credit to the organisation and amazing aircrew on board.
“I knew Josh would be in great hands from the moment GNAAS arrived on scene. No words can really express our thanks to the charity and for their speed and professionalism shown.”
Josh, a lance corporal and weapons instructor with the Light Dragoons, has been in the army since he was 16 and completed a tour of Afghanistan last year.
He has been supported in hospital since the accident by Colin, a pilot who lives in Holland, his mother Judith, who lives in Bedlington, and sister Josey, who studies at York University.
Colin said: “Josh has now moved out of the intensive care unit and hopes to be able to leave hospital to recuperate at home soon, after which he plans to return to the army.”
Mandy Drake, deputy director at GNAAS, said: “We are really pleased that Josh is on the mend. We know the family already have plans to continue their support to the charity in the future, for which we are immensely grateful.
“It costs around £4m every year to run the service that covers the North East, North Yorkshire and Cumbria which is generated through charity. Every penny makes a real difference.”
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