Mother of boy saved by helicopter joins Air Ambulance

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A mother whose son was rescued by helicopter after a near-fatal car crash has signed up as a volunteer to help raise funds for the Sussex Air Ambulance.

 

Julie and Jacques Porteous were walking along the pavement in Station Road, Polegate, when an elderly motorist mounted the kerb and struck them.

 

Jacques, 10, was critically injured and had to be airlifted by the police helicopter to Eastbourne District General Hospital before being transferred to King’s College Hospital in London.

 

The Hankham Primary School pupil, 10, has been left permanently brain damaged following the accident in January, 2008.

 

His mother Julie, who was seriously hurt, has now signed up as a volunteer for the life-saving Sussex Air Ambulance which costs £1.7m a year to stay airborne.

 

She said: “I just feel proud to be part of the charity because of what they do for people.

 

“I just wanted to give something back for what they did on the day. Without them there are lots of people who would not be here.

 

“Jacques was absolutely gutted he was unconscious in the helicopter because he loves them.

 

“The paramedics said that if the DGH didn’t have a heli-pad, Jacques probably would not have made it to the next hospital.”

 

Julie, 38, suffered a smashed right leg including a fractured tibia, fibia and ankle while Jacques sustained four fractures to his skull and needed 22 stitches.

 

Jacques was airlifted to King’s College Hospital because of his life-threatening injuries while his mother was taken by land ambulance to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

 

The pair, of Upper Kings Drive, Willingdon, were eventually reunited after 10 days in hospital.

 

The 71-year-old driver of the car was not prosecuted because she immediately surrendered her driving license.

 

Recalling the accident, Julie said: “We were just walking back to the car when I noticed a car that was facing the wrong way on the wrong side of the road.

 

“The next thing I knew she was on the pavement coming towards us. I turned round to see Jacques and that was it.

 

“The next thing I remember was waking up and coming round on the pavement. The car was embedded in a wall which Jacques had been walking along.

 

“I remember hearing sirens and feeling excruciating pain, then I heard the helicopter. That’s when I knew it was serious.

 

She added: “I just knew from watching programmes on TV that if they called the helicopter it must be pretty serious.

 

“I couldn’t see or hear Jacques but I remember one of the helicopter crew coming up to me and saying, ‘Don’t worry, he’s in our hands now.”

 

Despite being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Julie joined the Sussex Air Ambulance’s army of volunteers.

 

She has already met the crew of the MD902 Explorer at their base in Dunsfold which “brought back a lot of memories”.

 

Chelsea fan Jacques was the first to part with his pocket money to start filling a collection box.

 

East Sussex County Fundraiser, Bridget Pepper said: “It’s really heartwarming when a patient decides to come on board and help us to keep the helicopter flying.

 

“We rely on volunteers like Julie to spread awareness of this fantastic service.”

 

If you would like to be a volunteer for the Sussex Air Ambulance call Bridget on 07800 649246.