It was a typical rainy Monday afternoon in May 2024, when Thomas Smyth had just finished his day at work and was riding his motorbike home, the familiar route from Ballygowan to Ballynahinch, via Saintfield. He had done it countless times before, the road a second home to him. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
Thomas was travelling on the road behind a lorry when the car in front unexpectedly took a sharp right turn off the main road. In the instant that Thomas saw it, his attention snapped to the large lorry ahead, which had suddenly braked hard to avoid the car. With no time to react, Thomas drove straight into the back of the lorry.
Thomas was unconscious before he hit the ground. The noise of the crash echoed through the heavy rain and the lorry drivers immediately jumped out of the lorry to help and called 999.
The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service despatched two Rapid Response Paramedics and an Emergency Crew to the incident. Recognising the potential seriousness of the incident, NIAS also tasked the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) team to attend by Response Car.
In advance of the HEMS team arriving, the NIAS Paramedics worked together to ensure that Thomas received the highest levels of clinical care possible, in an effort to secure the most positive outcome for Thomas.
On their arrival at the scene, the HEMS team immediately identified, the critical need for Thomas to be placed under anaesthesia, in order to prevent any deterioration while being transported by ambulance to Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
Having administered the anaesthesia, the HEMS crew continued to provide appropriate care to Thomas, throughout the journey to hospital.
Thomas sustained several major injuries including broken tibia plateau, an open book fracture to his pelvis, bi lateral injuries to both wrists and a serious head injury.
Speaking about the incident, Thomas said, “Every day was filled with challenges, physical and emotional. I spent 11 days in ICU, and almost 3 weeks in the Major Trauma Unit. I was grateful to have my wife Elaine by my side every day and set myself a goal to help me recover: to walk my daughter Courtney down the aisle in 5 months’ time.”
It was a simple yet powerful vision that kept Thomas going. He attended physio and speech therapy, still to this day, to aid his recovery and avoided spending time as an inpatient at Musgrave Hospital due to his hard work and determination.
And then, on that long-awaited day in October, the moment arrived and Thomas, despite all odds, walked his daughter Courtney down the aisle.
Although 2024 didn’t get off to a great start following Thomas’s accident, the Smyth family finished the year off in style by heading off on a much-needed family cruise to Caribbean in December!
Thomas added, “I would not be where I am today without the help of the Air Ambulance. Although I have no memory of the accident, the team arrived so quickly at the scene and were able to provide me with crucial treatment that day.
This service changes lives daily. I’ve supported it since its inception in 2017, organising motorbike events for the charity. I never imagined needing their care myself. My family and I are deeply grateful to the team who saved my life after my accident.
Grace Williams, Area fundraising manager for Air Ambulance NI said, “It was a pleasure to have Thomas and his family visit our base recently and share his incredible experience with us.
Thanks to the HEMS consultant doctor and paramedic team providing pre-hospital critical care interventions on the roadside, on the farm or even in a person’s home, lives can be saved, brain injury avoided, and limbs saved. This is only possible with continued public support of the charity.
“This service could not operate if it wasn’t for the unique partnership that Air Ambulance NI has with the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) and the Department of Health, as well as all those people who fundraise, donate, volunteer or support Air Ambulance NI Charity.”
“Each year, Air Ambulance NI Charity requires £3 million to stay operational, or £8,200 per day. We truly appreciate the support we get from the entire community and individuals and ask for their continued support in the future.”
The service brings urgent medical assistance to anywhere in the province, operating seven days a week for 12 hours per day. The HEMS team attend patients who are seriously ill or injured, bringing emergency pre-hospital care direct to the casualty with the aim of saving lives, brains and limbs. The aircraft can reach anywhere in Northern Ireland in approximately twenty-five minutes.
On average the medical team are called upon twice every day, whether that is as a result of a serious road traffic collision, farm or workplace accident, sport and leisure incident or a serious medical emergency.
Any patients or families of the HEMS are welcome to visit the airbase and should get in touch with Air Ambulance NI by calling 028 9262 2677.
As a local charity, Air Ambulance NI aspires to raise £3million each year to maintain and sustain this service so public donations are crucial. One of the simplest ways to support is by becoming a member of Club AANI and donating via a monthly or annual subscription. Find out more by visiting www.airambulanceni.org alternatively you can contact the charity directly by emailing info@airambulanceni.org or calling 028 9262 2677.