Former RAF bomb disposal expert reunited with air medics

A FORMER RAF bomb disposal expert has been reunited with the air medics who helped him in the aftermath of a car crash. Thomas Frederick Knox, from Cotehill in Cumbria, was treated by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) after a car accident in Wetheral in June 2014. Mr Knox, 80, was travelling alone to visit his GP in his Ford C-Max when he collided with another vehicle. The incident left Mr Knox with a fractured sternum, vertebrae and collarbone. Mr Knox, known as Fred, said: “I was in the car going to the doctors, then next thing I know, I’m sat in the car and I couldn’t move.” GNAAS was called to the scene to treat Mr Knox, with the aircraft landing on a nearby sports field in Wetheral. When Mr Knox celebrated his 80th birthday last year, he received £500 in donations towards GNAAS. He recently visited the GNAAS airbase in Langwathby, near Penrith, with his daughter and great-great-granddaughter, to present the money to the members of the aircrew who helped him. He said: “I was absolutely amazed by the professionalism of the GNAAS crew, they were absolutely first-class and people would be lost without them.

A FORMER RAF bomb disposal expert has been reunited with the air medics who helped him in the aftermath of a car crash.

Thomas Frederick Knox, from Cotehill in Cumbria, was treated by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) after a car accident in Wetheral in June 2014.

Mr Knox, 80, was travelling alone to visit his GP in his Ford C-Max when he collided with another vehicle.

The incident left Mr Knox with a fractured sternum, vertebrae and collarbone.

Mr Knox, known as Fred, said: “I was in the car going to the doctors, then next thing I know, I’m sat in the car and I couldn’t move.”

GNAAS was called to the scene to treat Mr Knox, with the aircraft landing on a nearby sports field in Wetheral.

When Mr Knox celebrated his 80^th birthday last year, he received £500 in donations towards GNAAS.

He recently visited the GNAAS airbase in Langwathby, near Penrith, with his daughter and great-great-granddaughter, to present the money to the members of the aircrew who helped him.

He said: “I was absolutely amazed by the professionalism of the GNAAS crew, they were absolutely first-class and people would be lost without them. In a nice way, I hope I never ever have to meet these guys again.”

Mandy Drake, head of fundraising at GNAAS, said: “We’re delighted to see Fred back on his feet having made a good recovery, and thank him for thinking of us in making this donation. The money will help to keep the aircraft flying and saving lives across the region.”