Matthew Perry

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Matthew Perry

 

Type of Incident - Car Accident

Date of Incident - 2^nd September 2008

Time - 3pm

Location - A275 near South Chailey

 

Twelve months on from a car accident that left 23 year old Barcombe man Matthew Perry close to death, the former Royal Marine has made a full recovery. He-s even about to embark on his mission to get back into the military. Matthew puts his survival down to the intervention of the HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) crew of the Sussex Air Ambulance.

 

On September 2nd 2008, Matthew was driving along the A275 near South Chailey, when he lost control of his car. Matthew said "I somehow spun and ended up on the other side of the road and in the path of another car which then hit my car on the passenger side." Matthew's injuries were extensive, he suffered massive internal injury including bleeding on the brain, a collapsed lung and a knee injury. Matthew explains "All my internal organs came up into my chest and I then lost consciousness."

 

Soon after the accident, Matthew's parents were told by police officers that their son may not survive. His mum, Teresa, said "The moment you're told the news that no parent wants to hear is like nothing else. It was an awful time. Matthew was ailifted to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel and we were blue lighted there to be by his side."

 

The HEMS crew got to Matthew within minutes of receiving the call; they revived him at the side of the road and then flew him to the major trauma centre where he had a vital operation - which proved successful.

 

The 23 year old was on life support machine and in intensive care for 6 days, Teresa said "We didn't know if he was going to pull through, but eventually he got better - it was a nurse who tried to wake him about a week after the accident, we knew he'd be ok when he said to the nurse "easy tiger", we had our Matthew back."

 

He said "I had no idea about the Sussex Air Ambulance service before the accident, but now I do and so do all my friends and family, I'm determined to spread the word about the good work they do. This charity saved my life."

On March 8^th 2009 the Lewes Glynde and Beddingham Brass Band (LGB Brass), held a sell out benefit concert in aid of the Sussex Air Ambulance and raised £1,300. Matthew played the cornet.

 

Matthew now has plans to sign up to the RAF, once he passes all the medical tests, with ambitions of becoming a Weapons Systems Operator. Matthew's aim is to make a difference.