Rachael’s Story

If the Air Ambulance team hadn’t come out to me, I might not have had my leg saved. I’ll forever be grateful to them.

Rachael

On a cold December evening in 2024, Rachael headed out with her friend Jack for a show and what was meant to be a simple dinner. The pair were driving along a quiet country road near Stratford Way when, in the darkness, Jack missed a sharp bend. The car left the road and collided with a tree.

“The windows smashed, the airbags went off,” Rachael remembers. “But I was awake the whole time. I could feel I was hurt.”

Emergency services were called immediately and The Air Ambulance Service (TAAS) was despatched. Firefighters worked to free Rachael and Jack from the wreckage. While Jack escaped with minor injuries, Rachael’s condition was much more serious. She had broken her femur and several bones in her hand.

Rachael was taken to University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, where doctors warned her that recovery could take up to two years. She said: “If the Air Ambulance team hadn’t come out to me, I might not have had my leg saved. I’ll forever be grateful to them.”

Before the accident, Rachael led an active life as a professional dog walker and a regular at Clubbercise classes. The crash changed everything. She had to learn how to walk again and relied on crutches for months.

“Rehab has been tough, but I’ve had amazing support from friends and the medical team,” she said. Rachael has slowly returned to work and continues to attend rehabilitation sessions.

Meeting the crew behind The Air Ambulance Service left a lasting impression on her. The charity operates Your Local Air Ambulance (YLAA) across five counties and the National Children’s Air Ambulance (NCAA). “They’re all such lovely people and they rely entirely on donations. I fully support the work of the charity,” she said.

Now, Rachael has successfully returned to her Clubbercise classes and is determined to continue building her strength. Her next goals are to return to travelling and enjoy life with her many beloved dog friends, stronger than ever before.