Jai’s Story

It was the school summer holidays, and five-year-old Jai Bosustow was playing outside the front of his house when he was accidentally hit by an oncoming car.

On 4^th August 2024 Jai had been zipping around on his scooter outside their home in Porthleven as the family got ready to go out.

Mum Kizzy had already told Jai to slow down and be careful, but travelling at speed, he came off the pavement just as a car was coming down the road. He crashed down and became trapped underneath the vehicle.

“I was screaming”, said Kizzy. “All the neighbours rushed out to help us.”

With concerns Jai may have suffered severe traumatic injuries, Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to the scene. Critical Care Paramedic Jeremy Griffiths, Trainee Critical Care Paramedic Will Damerell and Pilot Mike Jones arrived on board your AW169 helicopter.

Jai had suffered a major, deep laceration to his head, a broken humerus and a knee injury. Once Jai had been freed from underneath the vehicle, the crew were able to administer advanced pain relief so they could assess his injuries and stabilise him. He was then airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital for onward care.

After his injuries had been assessed at Treliske, Jai was transferred to Derriford in Plymouth where he underwent facial surgery and was discharged three days later.

Kizzy said: “It was a massive relief when the helicopter arrived, the team knew exactly what they were doing, everything fell into place, and they knew exactly what to do as well as put us at ease. It was only about 7 minutes to get him to Treliske.”

Jai and Kizzy meeting Will and Jeremy at Cornwall Air Ambulance HQ

Jai has recovered well and is back at school and playing football. He now always wears a high-vis tabard when out and about, and his previous fear of helicopters has improved since the incident.

Kizzy added: “The crew got him to hospital really quick; he needed to be sedated as he was having a bit of a sensory overload, we were so reassured we felt like he was being taken care of and we felt calmer too. We are so thankful that you were able to get him to hospital so quickly and give him pain relief and help him.

“I will be forever grateful, because when you’re in that scary situation all you want is someone who knows what they’re doing and can help. I’ll be forever grateful for the charity, until you need it you don’t realise what an amazing thing it is to have.”

You can help Cornwall Air Ambulance be there for more patients like Jai, by supporting our Heli2 Christmas Appeal here, where every donation you make will be doubled.