A MOUNTAIN biker who owes his life to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance has said: “Thanks”.
And Phil Coleman has done so in tangible fashion, thanks to the Ripponden company where he works.
The cyclist, who broke his back in a mountain biking crash, was there to hand over a state-of-the-art infection control laundry system to the crew who rescued him.
Mr Coleman works for laundry distributors JLA of Ripponden and the company has supplied the disinfection system at the Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s base at Leeds Bradford International Airport.
The OTEX system uses ozone to mimic the processes found in thunderstorms to eliminate all bacteria, including C difficile, which conventional laundries are unable to do.
It takes hospital hygiene technology into the Yorkshire Air Ambulance operational unit, and will help prevent cross contamination between incidents after emergency calls.
Mr Coleman was reunited with paramedics Glen Powell and Darren Axe, who flew to his rescue when he crashed off his mountain bike in Wath Upon Dearne, Rotherham, eight months ago.
He was airlifted by the crew, and flown to Sheffield Northern General hospital, in helicopter G-SASH.
On arrival, he was found to have injuries including his back broken in two places, a punctured lung, and four broken ribs.
He said: “I had my accident on a trail in a nature reserve. A lone paramedic came to my rescue initially, then an ambulance – and they called the air ambulance.
“I was lying on my side in a lot of pain and finding it very difficult to breathe. Eventually I was put on a backboard stretcher and fastened down so I couldn't move, and carried up an embankment to the helicopter by the crew.
“It was only later that I realised the Yorkshire Air Ambulance were going to install one of our infection control system.
“I now plan to take part in raising funds for the Air Ambulance.”
