Rodney’s Story

In 2023, Cornwall Air Ambulance attended 62 significant falls. One of those was to help Rodney Wilcock, who fell 10ft from a ladder in Chacewater.

Rodney had been working on the roof of a building at a local farm in February 2023. He had overstretched to reach something when the ladder slipped from under him, and he crashed to the ground below.

“When I hit the ground, I heard this almighty bang”, said Rodney. “My foot had gone down bedside a piece of wood. The bang was the bone coming out through the ankle.”

Rodney managed to call for help and paramedics arrived on scene. Due to him suffering an open fracture to his ankle, and the risk of further traumatic injuries, Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked and landed at the farm.

Critical Care Paramedics Jeremy Griffiths and Pete Storer assessed Rodney’s injuries and administered ketamine, so they could safely realign and stabilise his leg. He was then airlifted to Derriford Hospital, the region’s major trauma centre, for onward care.

In hospital, Rodney underwent surgery and a skin graft. 18 months later, he is awaiting further surgery so he will be able to walk again without pain.

Rodney said: “I’ve still got my foot! If I didn’t have the air ambulance, I would only have one. You see the heli flying over and think some poor person needs help and might not be home for their tea tonight. You don’t appreciate it until you need it.”