“I am forever grateful to have been given a second chance at life” - Leanne's Story

Leanne Reid was involved in a serious road traffic incident which could have been fatal. She kindly shares her experience, while her loved ones share their messages of thanks.

Leanne Reid DS Air Ambulance Patient

A Devastating Christmas Day Accident

My accident happened late in the evening of Christmas Day back in 2020. I was hit by a car travelling roughly 70mph on the M5 motorway.

Although my memory of the day is vague, as part of my recovery I have since had a meeting with one of the crew who attended the incident, called Phil. This enabled me to gain a greater understanding of what happened, my condition immediately afterwards and the care that was given by both the land and air crews while transporting me to hospital.

The Challenges of the Rescue Mission

During the meeting, we discussed how the air ambulance had to carefully plan their landing as it was difficult and took almost half an hour. It led to the motorway being closed in both directions to enable the team to land as safely and as closely to where I was.

Upon the arrival of the air ambulance, I had already been secured onto a stretcher, neck brace and pelvic binder applied and had been given some much needed pain relief. However, it quickly became clear that my body had sustained extensive damage and was beginning to shut down. I had excessive blood loss both externally and internally which required the team to give me a blood transfusion.

A Long Road to Recovery

Leanne Reid DS Air Ambulance Patient

Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance airlifted me to Southmead Hospital in Bristol. I was placed in an induced coma for six days while I underwent multiple surgical procedures, including the reconstruction of one of my heart chambers. I had multiple rib fractures, lacerations to my liver and spleen, needed a metal implant in my lower left leg and treatment of a blood clot in my lung, as well as pneumonia, which I acquired during my stay.

Despite the seriousness of my injuries and the initial prognosis, I was only in hospital for a total of 21 days and made a miraculous recovery, however, I still suffer with ongoing pain as a result of the injuries I sustained.

For the first three months following discharge I relied heavily on the use of a wheelchair, before moving on to crutches and then being able to walk unaided. I was, and still am, taking strong painkillers to support me in my daily life.

Four years have nearly passed and I have returned to my life as an active mother of two growing boys, as well as successfully conceiving and carrying my daughter Niamh to full term, despite fears that this may never be possible. My growing strength and the achievements I have made since then, cause me to reflect regularly on how things could have been so different, without the quick and concise intervention of all the emergency services that day. I am forever grateful to have been given a second chance at life and wanted to share my story with others to highlight the wonderful work of the air ambulance and all of its crew.

Giving Back to the Air Ambulance Service

Having learnt that the service relies on charitable donations, I decided to take part in their 100 miles in October Challenge last year. Despite having been admitted to hospital for treatment of fluid around my heart, I managed to complete it and raised £200. I have also sold raffle tickets at a local charity event raising a further £50 and hope to continue fundraising for the people to whom I owe my life.

Messages of Thanks from Leanne’s Family

Below we have shared further messages of thanks from Leanne’s family and her close friend. They really hope that this highlights how your donations are keeping families together. We could not do what we do, without your generosity and support. So, on behalf of all the patients who need us, thank you!

"The specialist skills of the air ambulance crew undoubtedly saved my daughter’s life. In extremely challenging circumstances, their professionalism was second to none and I thank them wholeheartedly. They are an undervalued service that needs to be supported, as anyone of us is seconds away from needing them at any time."

David Reid
 Leanne’s Dad

"Finding out my daughter had been in an accident was every mother’s worst nightmare. Thanks to the tireless efforts of the crew at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance I will be able to enjoy many more memories with not only Leanne, but my grandchildren, especially my granddaughter Niamh, who without the life-saving treatment Leanne received, would not be here today. Thank you."

Joanne Reid
Leanne's Mum

"I was speechless at the quick response of the team at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance when attending my sister’s accident. I personally feel that this played a key part in her recovery and survival. The work that they do without government funding is amazing. Thank you just doesn’t feel enough."

Danielle Reid
Leanne's Sister

"The disbelief I felt when receiving the phone call about Leanne’s accident will stay with me forever. I am incredibly lucky to have been a part of Leanne’s recovery and attended the meeting with the crew. What a wonderful opportunity for survivors to gain understanding and acceptance to aid mental recovery following an accident. Thank you for giving me many more years of friendship."

Tara Wilson
Leanne's childhood best from of 23 years

View from the Crew: Chloe, Patient and Family Liaison Nurse

At first, Leanne was being looked after by our ambulance service colleagues and a volunteer doctor from The British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) team. BASICS is an association of health care professionals who undertake additional specialist training as immediate care practitioners. They respond in their own vehicles and in their own time to support our pre-hospital services. Prior to our arrival, Leanne had intravenous access inserted and fluid resuscitation. At this time, her leg was put into a splint and she was moved onto a stretcher. It was evident from the team’s assessment that Leanne required immediate critical care provision.

When DSAA arrived, we received an excellent handover from the clinicians on scene. Following our initial assessment of Leanne, we were immediately concerned that she was bleeding internally and her level of consciousness was low. Our critical care team inserted further intravenous access and gave Leanne more pain relief and a pelvic binder was applied to stem bleeding from her pelvis. She was wrapped in a Blizzard Blanket with heat pads, because she was hypothermic. The DSAA team administered four units of warmed blood components (two units of plasma and two units of red blood cells) to support Leanne’s blood pressure prior to her receiving a pre-hospital emergency anaesthetic. She remained stable for the anaesthetic and this allowed subsequent complete control of her breathing and blood pressure to support blood flow to her brain. These critical care interventions were provided in 35 minutes, before Leanne was moved to the aircraft and airlifted to the nearest Major Trauma Centre, Southmead Hospital. During the 20 minute flight to hospital, Leanne was placed on a breathing machine, had an arterial line placed to help with assessment of her blood pressure and received a further two unit transfusion of warmed plasma because of ongoing internal bleeding. With these active critical care interventions, her brain and vital organs were kept alive and she arrived at Southmead in a stable condition.

Help us save more lives

If you’ve been touched by Leanne’s story and would like to support Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, your donation can make a big difference. Every penny helps us continue our life-saving work.

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