A FATHER-OF-TWO has spoken of the terrifying fall which left him with life-changing injuries while on a family trip to Holy Island.
Adrian Chadwick, 47, from Marton, Middlesbrough, was out walking on May 23 last year, when he fell from Lime Kilns shattering both legs, breaking his spine and dislocating his elbow.
Mr Chadwick said: “My legs were in bits. They were shattered.”
An ambulance crew arrived at the scene and deemed his injuries severe enough to warrant calling the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
GNAAS flew to the island and the aircrew doctor anaesthetised Mr Chadwick to allow them to work on his debilitating injuries.
Mr Chadwick said: “When GNAAS got to me, it was a massive relief. It was as if the cavalry had arrived to come and save me. They said they were going to put me straight to sleep to prevent my pain. I knew I was in good hands.”
GNAAS transported him to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary where he was operated on and spent seven days before being transferred to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. He was fitted with a frame to support his body which he wore for five and a half months.
Mr Chadwick said: “I’m still recovering now. I can walk unaided for short amounts of time. My injuries are life-changing but it certainly isn’t the end of the world. It has made me realise that you need to seize the moment as you never know what is around the corner.”
Mr Chadwick recently visited the charity’s Teesside airbase to thank Dr Dion Arbid who was on board the aircraft at the time.
He added: “It’s been great to see first-hand the work of such a brilliant charity.”
GNAAS must raise £4.5m each year to survive. To support, please visit gnaas.com
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