Our Impact Patient Stories “Without Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance I wouldn’t be here today” - Linda's Story When Linda was involved in a serious head-on road traffic collision (RTC), she suffered multiple traumatic injuries and faced a long road to recovery. After receiving life-saving treatment from Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance and learning to walk again, she set herself the challenge of walking 31 miles in 31 days while fundraising for the air ambulance charity that helped save her life. Here's Linda's inspiring patient story. The Road Traffic Collision That Changed Everything It was a Sunday afternoon in October 2023, and I had spent the day visiting Forde Abbey near Chard. I was driving home when I was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle, an incident that would define the next period of my life. Air Ambulance Critical Care at the Scene I have no recollection of the events that unfolded after that moment. I since learnt that Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance (DSAA) and the fire brigade were called to the road traffic collision to provide emergency critical care treatment at the scene. I was then cared for by the crew who gave me blood transfusions and pain relief before I was flown to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, a major trauma centre, for further specialist treatment for my injuries. Life-Saving Treatment at a Major Trama Centre I remained in Southmead for three weeks and was under sedation for two of those. During my stay, I had a plate put into my right arm and leg and was given a 'reversible' stoma. Following this, I was transferred to Royal United Hospitals Bath where I spent nine more weeks, including Christmas and New Year, recovering and learning to walk again. Support Throughout Recovery I have since learnt that Chloe Riley, one of DSAA's Patient and Family Liaison Clinicians, came to visit me twice while I was in hospital, but unfortunately, I was too poorly to meet with her. Thankfully, I have recently been in contact and Chloe has come to visit me at home. I am so grateful for her help and support, and knowing she was there for me while I was in hospital is so touching. Recovery After a Serious Car Accident Recovery has been a difficult journey, but I knew I wanted to give something back to the air ambulance charity that had been there for me when I needed it most. While learning how to walk again, I decided to complete a sponsored walk in aid of DSAA as soon as I was able. I chose to walk 31 miles in 31 days, as this was the distance I was transported by helicopter from the scene of my incident to Southmead Hospital. I have now completed the challenge and raised £2,000 for the charity that saved my life. Without DSAA, I wouldn't be here today and for that, I am extremely grateful. The DSAA team who attended Linda’s incident were: Laura, Amy, Mario, and Jaco. View from the Crew: Kirsty Caswell, Patient and Family Liaison Clinician Linda was very severely injured in the road traffic collision and required urgent pre-hospital critical care treatment from our air ambulance team. She was suffering from a head trauma and multiple broken bones with additional concerns that she might have been losing blood internally. The priority for our team was to replace the blood Linda was losing. We were able to do this with the blood we carry on every mission, supplied by Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. Next, we needed to get Linda urgently to a major trauma centre with neurosurgery facilities to manage her brain injury. It was such a pleasure to welcome Linda back to the airbase recently and witness her incredible recovery from these very significant injuries. She is an inspiration to anyone going through a recovery and rehabilitation journey. Our patient and family liaison support will continue to be there for Linda and her family as she works towards her recovery goals. Next: Judith's story Manage Cookie Preferences