Tanker driver airlifted by local air ambulance counts his blessings despite Coronavirus crisis

In these difficult days of self-isolating and restricted movement, a former HGV driver from High Peak near Buxton is counting his blessings that he is still alive.

Kevin Snodgrass (69) was airlifted by Derbyshire, Leicestershire & Rutland Air Ambulance after he fell onto a hard concrete surface, was knocked unconscious and broke his pelvis, 19 ribs and three bones in his back.

He was shutting the lids on top of his tanker after filling it with hydrated lime at Hindlow Quarry when he plunged four metres to the ground.

“I don’t remember anything after being on top of the tanker. I lost four days of my life but I am still here, still waking up every morning and I know it’s because of the air ambulance. My surgeon said I wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for them,” he says.The air ambulance doctor and critical care paramedic who attended the scene of the accident – in August last year – sedated Kevin before he was flown to The Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. The flight took just 11 minutes.

During his 18 day stay in hospital, Kevin decided he wanted to organise an event to raise funds for the local air ambulance, which receives no government funding and relies totally on donations to remain operational.

With the help of his friend Trish Lee from New Mills he organised a Fun Day to be held on Easter Monday – but due to the Covid-19 crisis, it has had to be cancelled.

“I am very upset that I have had to postpone my fundraising day but you have my word that as and when it is all sorted out it will go ahead,” he says.

Kevin is still recovering from the accident but says he is “getting stronger day by day”.  Organising the Fun Day has given him something to focus on during his recovery and helped to fill time as he is now unable to work.

“I’ve decided to give something back and have signed up to be a volunteer for the charity as well. I want to say thank you for what they did for me. I wouldn’t be here without them,” he says.

Kevin accepts that he will have to wait a while before he can start volunteering and his fundraising event can go ahead but he is determined to do both in the future to say thank you to the charity that he says “saved my life”.

Lifesaving missions like Kevins’ wouldn’t be possible without public support  – Your local air ambulance crews are continuing their lifesaving missions through this difficult period, providing vital, critical care support to the NHS and relying solely on donations.

To help your local air ambulance attend more lifesaving missions, click the donate button below.