Yvonne’s Story

Yvonne Allkins was out walking her dog on the Cornish coast path when she slipped and fell, alone and in a remote location.

It was January 2019 and Yvonne was going down an incline when it suddenly poured down with rain and she lost her footing. As she fell down, her right leg went right back under her.

Luckily Yvonne had her phone with her, she dialled 999 and called her daughter for help.

Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to the scene at Portscatho, with critical care paramedics Pete Storer and Steve Garvey on board the helicopter.

The crew administered ketamine so they could realign and stabilise Yvonne’s leg. Once the pain relief had taken effect, they splinted her leg and moved her to the waiting helicopter. She was then airlifted to Treliske Hospital for onward care.

Yvonne’s daughter Samantha said: “When they arrived it felt like such a relief. It just felt like you were in really safe hands. They were so considerate and kind.”

Yvonne had broken her leg in three places, including her femur. She underwent surgery and a bone graft and had a metal plate inserted into her leg. She spent a total of seven weeks in hospital.

Almost four years since her incident, Yvonne visited the Cornwall Air Ambulance base to meet and thank the crew who helped her.

Yvonne said: “The kindness and the compassion, you can’t match it with anything else. It has been so nice to come back and meet Pete. I don’t remember much of it, aside from the kind words and the care. I think we’re very fortunate to have this service.

“I think it’s essential with the geography of Cornwall and the congestion on the roads at times, it is just an invaluable service.”