Kai experienced a horrific incident when he rushed to help another person in trouble. He was treated by our team who arrived by car and on the aircraft, before being airlifted to Southampton Hospital. There he spent just under a month receiving treatment, before undergoing a difficult journey of recovery.

A Normal Day Turned to Chaos

The incident happened in March 2024, in Bournemouth Town Centre, right outside the staff exit of the BH2 building where I worked at TGI Fridays.

I’d stepped outside for a break and had only been out for about 30 seconds when I heard a strange noise – a car skidding or crashing, something that sounded clearly wrong. I looked around the corner and saw a black Range Rover Evoque rolling backwards down the hill. It had clearly come loose from a recovery truck and was picking up speed fast. The recovery driver was still underneath it, on his back, hanging onto the bumper. His legs and torso were already under the car. I saw his eyes and just ran to help.

I didn’t really think, I just moved. I ran diagonally behind the car to try to grab him, but the car hit me. I lost my footing and my right leg bent the wrong way and snapped in half. The car rolled over me and flipped me, breaking my back in two places. I looked up and saw the tyre coming towards my head. I turned just in time for it to hit my chest and shoulder instead.

Losing Consciousness

After that, things got patchy. I remember screaming non-stop. I looked at my leg and saw it hanging. I laid my head back and just screamed as a crowd formed. I was drifting in and out of consciousness – it felt like I was watching myself die.

I suddenly heard helicopter blades and tried to focus on that sound. I remember my manager trying to give the paramedics information and then someone in a red coat leaning over me and telling me everything was going to be alright. Somehow that calmed me down and the next thing I knew he was cutting my coat off. That’s the last thing I remember until I woke up.

The man in the red coat was part of the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance team. I later found out I’d lost most of my blood, was in severe shock and had been given ketamine before being flown to Southampton Hospital. I know they acted fast, got me across the gardens and into the helicopter, and that if it weren’t for their actions, I wouldn’t have made it. No other service could’ve saved me.

Multiple Surgeries and a Long Road to Recovery

While in a coma in hospital, I had multiple surgeries. A spinal fixation from L1 to L5, plating on most of my ribs, a full-length rod in my right leg (due to tibia and fibula fractures), a fractured scapula, and lacerations to my liver and spleen. The latter didn’t require any surgery. I was in hospital for just under a month, but transferred to Poole for the final week, as it was closer to home.

Recovery was brutal. The pain was worse than I could have ever imagined. I couldn’t move for weeks. I had to re-learn how to sit, stand and walk. After hospital, I continued recovering at home for another year. It was a long, slow process with a lot of physio and support from friends and family, but I kept going.

Ongoing Support from the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance Team

The patient and family liaison team from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance visited me in hospital and also reached out to my parents, siblings and friends. They’ve stayed in contact ever since. A few months ago, they invited me to meet the crew and tour the base, including the helicopter I was in. They helped with my mental health as well, referring me to some great organisations after I was diagnosed with PTSD. They’ve been with me through the whole journey.

I wanted to share my story to raise awareness of the charity, because I had never even heard of it before that day. I think a lot of people don’t realise just how much the charity relies on donations and how many lives they’ve saved. If my story can help even a little, it’s worth sharing.

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Aftercare: Gabi, Patient and Family Liaison Nurse

While Kai was in the Intensive Therapy Unit (ITU) on life support, I provided support to his mother, who understandably needed emotional reassurance and guidance regarding her son’s condition. I helped to explain what had happened and what to expect in the coming days, and ensured she was aware of the resources available to help her cope during such a difficult time.

When Kai regained consciousness, I met him on the ward and talked him through the pre-hospital critical care he had received. It was truly inspiring to witness the progress he was making. His devoted sister remained by his side throughout and I was also privileged to offer her a listening ear and emotional support.

As his medical recovery improved, we turned our attention to his psychological well-being. As part of this, I arranged a therapeutic base visit for Kai, giving him the opportunity to meet the team who saved his life. It was a very special visit for everyone who was there!

Next: Eleanor's Story