A MAN who fell more than 20ft off a roof in Brampton, Carlisle, has praised the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) who came to his aid.
Michael Skelton, 48, from Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, was working on the roof of a house when he fell 24ft to the ground on February 24 2014.
The GNAAS paramedic and doctor team arrived at the scene and treated Mr Skelton before airlifting him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.
Mr Skelton said: “I remember after I fell I heard the helicopter coming and then the crew gave me morphine and ketamine which definitely worked. They were amazing lads and got me to the hospital in just 14 minutes.”
Two days after the incident Mr Skelton received a visit from the GNAAS doctor who treated him to see how his recovery was going and he said that he has never forgotten this moment and really appreciated it.
He added: “The surgeon said if it wasn’t for GNAAS I wouldn’t be here. I was in hospital for six weeks with a cracked pelvis and hip, a broken t12 in my back, and I had a lateral fracture, so my ankle was shattered. I was in a wheelchair for a while and now I’m on crutches, if I don’t use them my legs can give way.”
Mr Skelton and his family visited the GNAAS base at Langwathby and met some of the crew who work at the charity.
He said: “The crew at GNAAS do a really great job. The work they do is brilliant and they are top people. It’s good to meet them and thank them for their service.”
The family donated £460 to GNAAS after holding a collection for the charity at Mr Skelton’s father’s funeral.
GNAAS is funded entirely by donations. Last year, it needed to raise £5.1m to survive. To find out how you can help please visit www.gnaas.com or call 01325-487263.
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