James’ Story

Victoria Jones had a pair of twins that were born three months prematurely, weighing in at just over two pounds each. In spring 2009 the boys were a year and a half old. James was crawling in the kitchen when his arms seemed to give way and he banged his head on the floor.

Victoria watched in horror as he rolled over limp and pale. He began to turn blue around the mouth and his eyes were open but fixed.

She called 999 and the Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked. The helicopter landed on the school playing fields at Lewinnick near Newquay and the aircrew paramedics ran with specialist equipment to the house.

They treated him on scene, stretchered him to the helicopter and flew James and Victoria to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth in just eight minutes.

Victoria says, “The paramedics were really calm and reassuring, they were fantastic throughout. I remember seeing the football posts shaking as we took off but we landed at hospital so soon after.”

James was diagnosed with anoxic shock syndrome which shuts the whole body down including the brain and heart.

Six years later James is well and obsessed with ambulances and in particular the air ambulance.