11:00pm Thursday 18th June 2009
By Hayley Court
A SWINDON soldier who lost his arm in a motorcycle crash met the medics who saved his life – moments before they were scrambled to another life-threatening emergency.
Lance Bombardier Dan Richards from Baileys Corner, Cheney Manor, lost his right arm and shoulder, broke his left arm and shattered both ankles after he lost control of his Triumph Daytona 650 and crashed into the central reservation on London’s North Circular three weeks ago.
The 23-year-old of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery met his heroes, London Air Ambulance doctor Matt Gunning and paramedic Eoin Walker on Tuesday.
But just moments after this photo was taken, the klaxon sounded meaning the team had to get the helicopter in the air within seconds. Dan, who remains in the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel, said: “It was pretty inspiring to see the team load up into the helicopter so quickly and see it take off to save someone else’s life.
“I want to thank not only the Air Ambulance team but all the staff at The Royal London Hospital – they have really looked after me. I don’t know if I’ll be getting back on a bike any time soon.”
When the air ambulance crew arrived at the scene on May 31 – just six minutes after the 999 call was made – they found Dan bleeding heavily. They quickly stopped his blood loss and gave him an emergency anaesthetic which kept him stabilised for the journey to hospital.
Dr Gunning is astounded by Dan’s progress since the accident that almost claimed his life.
He said: “Unfortunately we are unable to save every trauma victim we see, and many take a long time to recover from their injuries.
“I am so pleased to see Dan doing so well, so soon after his accident. He has the right attitude and I know this will hold him in good stead on his road to recovery. “ Dan is expected to be discharged from The Royal London Hospital this week to continue his treatment at the Great Western Hospital before he begins rehabilitation with the Army’s Defence Medical Rehabilitation facility at Headley Court in Surrey.
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