This Air Ambulance Week (9th – 16th September), the North West Air Ambulance Charity (NWAA) is sharing the story of how it saved the life of a 29-year-old Cheshire man who suffered potentially fatal injuries.
On 5th May 2019, Curtis Hatton and his friends were enjoying a day of mountain biking at Farmer Johns in Marple, Cheshire. During their second run of the course, Curtis was found by his friend on the floor, unresponsive and struggling to breathe. His friend immediately called 999.
An ambulance arrived but due to the severity of his injuries, the North West Air Ambulance Charity were dispatched to the scene. When the crew arrived, it was clear Curtis was critically unwell, Critical Care Paramedic Adam said: “We immediately requested our doctor led helicopter based on the patient’s level of injury, which included a significant head injury, and a reduced level of consciousness.
“We knew he would likely require a RSI (Rapid Sequence induction) to protect his brain, airway, and potential breathing collapse from a chest injury.”
Adam and his colleague applied a pelvic binder and gave the drug, tranexamic acid to reduce any internal bleeding. They called for additional support, when Dr James and the crew arrived, they placed Curtis into an induced coma.
Dr. James said: “This patient needed a RSI intervention very urgently as his breathing and airway were so bad.”
“We were able to give him an anaesthetic and our interventions meant he spent as little time as possible with low oxygen and high carbon dioxide, causing further brain injury. But it also meant that he was taken directly to a neurosurgical major trauma centre.”
The crew airlifted Curtis to Stoke University Hospital, continuing to provide care and reduce further pressure on his injured brain.
He spent two weeks in a coma at Stoke University Hospital before being transferred to Salford Royal Hospital, where he remained until September 2019. An initial CT scan of his brain showed that he suffered a Thalamic Bleed which had severed the nerves in his brain and also suffered internal bleeding from his kidney and spleen.
After spending six months in a rehabilitation centre, relearning basic tasks, Curtis finally returned home in February 2020. Despite the challenges he continues to face, Curtis remains determined to further his recovery and return to work.
Since the accident, Curtis said: “I’ve made a decent recovery considering where I was after the accident. I’m left with some impairments, like the use of my left arm, mobility issues and slurred speech – but it could have been far worse.
“I would like to thank the crew and let them know that they are amazing people. I’ll be forever grateful to them and the rest of the team at NWAA. Without them, I would not have made the recovery I have made. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Words alone will never be enough.”
Curtis’ father Brian also shared his deep appreciation for the charity, stating: “We are convinced if it wasn’t for the North West Air Ambulance Charity, the outcome could have been different to the point of his survival or how far he has recovered. We can never repay them for what they have done and will forever be grateful.”
The North West Air Ambulance Charity is immensely proud of the lifesaving work it provides every day, and Curtis’ story is a testament to the dedication and skill of its team.
Without the enhanced pre-hospital care provided by the crew at NWAA, Curtis’ chances of survival would have been significantly diminished.
Air Ambulance Week is a national campaign to raise awareness of the lifesaving work carried out by air ambulance services, like NWAA. The week highlights the crucial role the charity plays in emergency response, often making the difference between life and death for patients.
As NWAA celebrates its 25th anniversary, Curtis’ story illustrates their unwavering commitment to saving lives and providing critical care to those in need throughout the region. In the last 25 years, NWAA has attended over 45,000 missions.
Donate today or find out how you can get involved and support the charity.