Following a visit to the charity Air Ambulance NI recently, Sam Courtney has decided to share his experience of a road traffic collision in September 2021 and coming to terms with life changing injuries and a new normal over the past 4 years.
Sam, from Newtownards, was driving to work in Bangor, when he was involved in a single-car collision on a country road. His car veered off the road, hit a water pump, and crashed into a tree. Sam has no memory of the incident and to this day, doesn’t know what caused the incident to happen.
The first responders to the scene were off-duty Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service staff who quickly called for emergency services.
Sam’s injuries were extensive, most severely a head injury and brain bleed on the brain stem that has left Sam with a brain injury. He had multiple fractures across his body and severe damage to his pelvis. He spent several weeks in a coma and a month in the ICU at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Belfast.
It was an extremely difficult time for Sam who experienced a lot of confusion and hallucinations due to medications, not knowing what was real. Sam said, “What happened was explained to me, but I didn’t appreciate the magnitude of it and what was ahead in terms of physio and adjusting.” Sam had extensive surgeries to his head, legs, hips and pelvis.
Sam added, “I now understand the critical importance of quickly deploying the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) to incidents like mine, where every second counts. The role of the charity Air Ambulance NI, along with the significant contributions of all first responders, hospital teams, physiotherapists, and support services, is invaluable.”
Following his time at the RVH, Sam was transferred to Musgrave Park Hospital for rehabilitation. He faced the daunting task of relearning basic movements and to learn to walk again. This was a long process which Sam explained, “The pain of physio was intense, particularly at the start as I had muscle wastage, but the team were brilliant and helped me realise I had to do this. Once it dawned on me that I may not walk again a switch flipped in my mind and I threw myself into it. I had to learn everything including the mechanics of pulling my hips forward and weight transference – things that most people take for granted.”
It was during a physio session that Sam mentioned his love of playing rugby and his physio suggested mixed ability rugby and made an introduction. When Sam first joined he was on the pitch with a stick as an aid but has since threw it to the side and hasn’t looked back. He said, “The welcome from the rugby team was amazing and it is very supportive.”
Sam also received help from the Cedar Foundation who have assisted him adjust to life with a brain injury. Sam commented, “I have learnt that each brain injury is unique and how it impacts and affects people varies greatly. My motivation comes from a supportive family, friends and of course my soon to be 6-year-old daughter Maisie, who I would love to be able to walk down the aisle one day.”
Four years on from the incident, Sam still has ongoing appointments, currently he is experiencing double vision in one eye that may require further surgery.
He said, “This is undoubtedly the most impactful event that has ever happened to me. There are days when I have felt like giving up but I want to do right for me and to recognise all those who helped me both on the day of the accident and thereafter. I have a lot to be grateful for as I can live independently, see my daughter, play rugby and hope in time that I can get back into employment. I’d also like to have a rugby fundraiser for Air Ambulance NI Charity to help a future patient receive the care they need.”
The HEMS that responded to Sam, is tasked on average twice every day. The service is provided by way of a partnership between Air Ambulance NI Charity and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. The medical team consists of a doctor and paramedic who can provide extensive interventions at the scene that improve a patient’s chance of surviving and help improve their recovery when they have suffered critical injuries as a result of major trauma When travelling to the scene by helicopter, the air ambulance flies at approximately 180mph and this is only possible thanks to donations and fundraising from the public. The charity needs to raise £8,200 in fundraising to keep the helicopter flying and be there for people like Sam.
