Bayley’s Story

18-year-old Bayley Skewes was travelling to work when he crashed his motorbike, leaving him with internal injuries and in need of a blood transfusion.

Bayley, from Helston, was on his normal commute on 25th September 2022 when he misjudged a corner and hit a tree. He came off his motorbike and ended up in a ditch.

Initially Bayley thought he had just winded himself and possibly broken his leg. Conscious and able to reach his phone, he called his mum to let her know what had happened.

Passers-by quickly realised that Bayley was severely injured and called 999, with Cornwall Air Ambulance being tasked to the scene.

Bayley said: “I remember being told the air ambulance was coming, and hearing the noise of the rotor blades above, but other than that I don’t remember much.”

Critical Care Paramedics Mick McLachlan and Thomas Hennessy Jones attended onboard your AW169 helicopter.

On scene, the crew monitored Bayley’s heart rate and administered ketamine, to help with the pain. They also carried out a blood transfusion, which was needed as he had suffered internal bleeding from both his liver and his lung.

Bayley was airlifted to Derriford Hospital, the major trauma centre in Plymouth. He had suffered a stage four liver laceration, bleeding in the lungs and had broken his femur in two.

“It felt like being in spaceship from all the drugs that they’ve given me, to keep me comfortable and get rid of the pain”, said Bayley.

He was taken to the Emergency Department where he had a CT scan to identify his injuries, Bayley then had damage control surgery to stop the internal bleeding. He was in hospital for just over three weeks.

Three months after the accident, Bayley was reunited with Critical Care Paramedics Mick and Thomas, who helped save his life.

Thomas Hennessy Jones, Critical Care Paramedic with Cornwall Air Ambulance, said: “Bayley was incredibly poorly when we arrived at the scene, he was very pale and it was obvious he was in a lot of pain. We were concerned about internal bleeding following the impact and he required a blood transfusion before we could airlift him to hospital. Things weren’t looking good for Bayley, so to see him here now and how well he has recovered is remarkable.”

Bayley said: “My recovery has been quite long, and boring, but it’s definitely getting better and I’m not in pain anymore. I take crutches with me just in case, but I can walk now. It’s really amazing to meet them, I really appreciate the whole charity and what they did for me that day. It’s so important we have the air ambulance, I wouldn’t be here without it.”

Mum Stacey added: “I’m so incredibly grateful that we have Cornwall Air Ambulance, Bayley wouldn’t be here without it, it is something that is really needed and people should support it.”

You can help us save more people like Bayley here.