Saturday 1 March 2014

Air ambulances.

Yesterday our local Auction Mart held a massive sale in aid of the Air Ambulance organisation - such a boon in this area.   A huge number of local businesses, local farmers and countryfolk donated things such as a day's shooting, a bottle of whisky, bales of straw and hay and the like.   Apparently the whole thing was a great success.

Our nearest hospital is The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, which is about twenty five miles away.   The next nearest, and the large one where the really sophisticated equipment such as scanners is located, is more than twice that far, so you can see how very vital these air ambulances are.   I was certainly glad of one when I had my attack just over three years ago.   To be helicoptered out of our paddock and into James Cook University Hospital in a very short time certainly helped me, although I knew nothing of it at the time.


But yet again on Friday three Air Ambulances were needed very close to where we live, when two cars collided on a cross roads.   All three occupants were local young men - all are in hospital very seriously injured.   At present that is all we know, but I am sure that whatever the situation the fact that they could be airlifted out quickly is bound to have helped.

When will these young men learn?   In my young days it was motor bikes and I was under strict instructions never to go on one.   Now days I suspect that no girl would ever go out with a boy if he didn't have a car.   Times have changed.   What has not changed is the devil may care attitude that accidents 'can't happen to me - always to somebody else.'   Let's sincerely hope that all three young men make a full recovery.

12 comments:

Heather said...

Air ambulances are indeed a blessing. Some young motorists think they are invincible - the trouble is that they often cause awful problems for their passengers and other motorists, not to mention the grief for their families.

Barbara said...

You are so right about the "air ambulances" being such a blessing!

We should all do what we can to support the teams that keep this vital service functioning. I'm glad your experience was a good one.

Several years ago, our daughter was hit head-on by a drunk driver. She would have never survived the trip to the hospital if it were not for our Aircare Five helicopter unit. (She was only given a 5% chance anyway--but, she beat the odds and is absolutely fine today)We are eternally grateful to the outstanding rescue team.

I would hope that someday this kind of thing would make some impression on young folks.Unfortunately, I don't think the young man who caused the horror had any change of ways.

Arija said...

I guess they breed 'em tough in the colonies. Our nearest major medical facility is more than 50 miles away. OurFlying doctor is for the outback where most places are at least six hours by road to the nearest medical attention.
Young people think they are immortal,only a close call teaches them a little caution. I do hope those boys survive.

Willow said...

Wishing them well. I can't help but think you can't take impetuous out of youth , somehow it tends to go hand in hand no matter how hard we try to deter it. Some handle it better than others unfortunately.

Terra said...

Yes, I said a prayer for healing for these young men. How good your community helps fund the all important air ambulances.

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Hi Pat. I imagine there as here the ground rescue team that makes the call for the rescue helicopters. Several years ago two teen girls got themselves in a crash. It was a rainy 2 AM, and, as it came out later, the ground crew didn't feel like making the rather long trip to the hospital. The girls were not all that seriously injured. The helicopter picked them up then crashed in the fog killing everyone except one of the girls -who lost her leg. This has led to much tighter rules about under what circumstances a helicopter can be requested. And, of course, it is always up to the pilot whether to fly or not.
Research has found that the part of the brain that evaluates risk doesn't fully develop until the mid twenties. So, to some extent when I exclaim: didn't they know it was dangerous!?!? The answer is: no, they didn't -or at least not fully. This in no way excuses reckless behavior -and I know a lot has to do with parental upbringing, etc. My mom was smart. She didn't let me get my license until a year after I could have gotten it! So, I bicycled instead.
As an aside, I recently found out the charge for an air ambulance ride in this area is $10,000! I just about fainted when a friend told me that is what he was charged to go 2 miles from one hospital to another. They didn't take him by ground because they thought he was having a heart attack. Ended up he had pleurisy.
On a lighter note, we are expecting another 6 - 12" of snow. Oh. Goody.
I do hope you are enjoying early spring. From your posts, it sounds as though you are.

Bovey Belle said...

Having seen the skill of the Air Ambulance crew putting down in an incredibly limited space between two barns, to rescue our Next Door farmer after his thigh/hips had been broken by a falling Big Bale of straw, I have every admiration for them. Another friend (Em) was rescued on Dartmoor after a very bad fall from her pony. Some places are just inaccessible and only a helicopter will be able to provide the speed and care needed.

Well done to your local farmers for providing the lots for the auction.

angryparsnip said...

I too believe that the air ambulances
are indeed a blessing. We have you and Em to prove it.

cheers, parsnip

Cloudia said...

The pilots and crews are angels!

Glad you have the coverage, friend



Aloha

Mary said...

How wonderful that these helicopters can be there so quickly, saving lives, and getting those of you who live a distance from a medical facility to the necessary hospitals etc. I feel so fortunate living just 5-10 mins. from three excellent all-service hospitals right here in the city, and within 20 mins. of two of the best teaching hospitals in the USA - Duke University Hospital (people come from all over the world for services there), and the University of North Carolina Hospital.

I pray for the recovery of those young men - how sad when accidents such as that occur - so often they could have been avoided one way or another.

Mary



Cro Magnon said...

I always told my sons that girls would be much more interested in them if they showed respect for their safety, and that included not driving like an idiot.

My very good friend, and neighbour, is very grateful to the French air ambulance service. He nearly cut his foot off with a chainsaw, struggled to our house where he collapsed, and was eventually taken off by helicopter to a specialist unit in Bordeaux.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Whenever I read of the high cost of medical care in the U S I am thankful for our National Health Service. We might complain about it and yet we are so lucky in so many ways. Thanks for calling in. There is no further news on the condition of the young men concerned.