A HAMPSHIRE father who survived a horrific multi-vehicle crash has thanked the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance team for saving his life.
James Cattrall, who lives in Alton with his fiancé Millie Fletcher and two-year-old son Teddy, was left with 10 broken bones and had to learn to walk again.
The 31-year-old was driving in Millie's car on the B3349 on Tuesday, July 5, last year, when a car crashed into him and another vehicle.
The air ambulance team rushed to his side and found him conscious and talking but his legs were trapped in the crumbled car.
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James said: “I don’t really remember much from the day. I was just going for a normal drive and the next thing I remember I woke up in Southampton General Hospital. When I woke up Millie told me I had been involved in a head-on collision
“If it wasn’t for the ambulance team I simply would not be here today, words just simply aren’t enough to say thank you to them.”
Millie, who was by her partner's side during his eight-week stay in hospital, said that it was a scary time for the family, especially when James developed sepsis and pneumonia.
During his stay in hospital, James missed his son's first birthday who was just 10-months-old at the time of the crash.
When James was removed from the vehicle the extent of his injuries became clear. He urgently needed a blood transfusion and strong pain relief.
He had three open fractures to his tibia and fibula, broken his nose, eight rib and right arm fractures; suffered damage to his ankle, pelvis, back and hip.
He said the crash has "completely changed his life".
He contined: “I think before the accident happened I used to worry about work and other things but now I am just grateful to be here and spend time with my family.”
"My fiancée, Millie, and I have learned to treasure our time together even more, and it has brought us even closer."
Millie added: “I would just like to say a massive thank you to the team because without them he would not be here today. We are now really grateful that he gets to spend so much time with Teddy while he is young.”
The charity, which relies entirely on donations from the public to keep flying, is calling for supporters during Air Ambulance Week, which takes place across the UK from September four to 10.
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The pilots, doctors and specialist paramedics have responded to almost 1,200 emergency call-outs so far this year.
Richard Corbett, chief executive of the charity, said: “Air Ambulance Week is a chance for teams across the UK to make more people aware of the work we do and the fact we are a charity, and we need their support to fly.”
Nick Gray, clinical lead paramedic, added: “The week is all about just raising awareness so members of the public know what we do.
"Most people have never met us and if they do it is usually on the worst day of their life and everyone we do meet is grateful.”
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