Lisa’s Story

Lisa Williams was in Cornwall for a long weekend with her partner, when she found herself in a remote part of the Duchy and needing the help of Cornwall Air Ambulance.

The couple were out walking near the coast at Land’s End when Lisa slipped on the wet grass, breaking her leg in three places.

“I heard it, I’d never broken anything before but I knew straight away that it had broken”, said Lisa. “My other half said my foot was facing the wrong way.”

Her partner Dan rushed back to the hotel to get help, and they called 999. A land ambulance, coastguard rescue team and Cornwall Air Ambulance were all tasked to the scene.

Lisa had suffered a tibia-fibula fracture, and had to have her boot and leggings cut off so her leg could be stabilised. In need of strong pain relief, the Cornwall Air Ambulance critical care paramedics also administered ketamine. Lisa was put onto a stretcher and carried to a land ambulance, before being airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Lisa said: “They were absolutely fantastic, from the hotel right through to the air ambulance paramedics, they did so much for me, and I am eternally grateful for it.”

Lisa with her partner Dan and their dog Ernest

At Treliske Lisa had a cast put on her leg, then was transferred to hospital back home in Birmingham where she underwent surgery. She has since made a full recovery.

“It’s invaluable, being able to get in and help people where you wouldn’t be able to get quickly normally by road, luckily my injury wasn’t life-threatening, but for those people where it is, they are absolute lifesavers”, said Lisa.

“You help so many people, we go down to Cornwall about twice a year and we always see the helicopter out, you are so vital for people. You really do help people in their darkest hour.

“I think everybody should help and donate. Until you need it, you don’t realise how important it is.”

You can help more patients like Lisa, by donating from £3 a month here: Donate – Cornwall Air Ambulance (cornwallairambulancetrust.org)