Daniel Brown

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Date of Incident – 11^th September 2009

Time – 3.45pm

Location – Elsted, West Sussex

19 year old Daniel Brown from Petersfield on the Hants and West Sussex border says he is ‘alive and well’ thanks to the intervention of the Sussex Air Ambulance and its medical crew. His survival is also down to the fact he was wearing protective motorcycling gear at the time he came off of his motorbike - just 6 days after he was given them for his birthday.

Daniel, who is studying motorcycle mechanics, was on his way to see a friend in Chichester on the afternoon of September 11^th, when he was caught up in a collision with a tractor. He took a blind corner on the Elsted Road, and despite his control, safe speed and the fine weather, he lost grip of the road because of loose gravel that had been washed down the hill. Before he knew, it he was sliding into the path of the on-coming tractor.

Daniel doesn't remember too much after that, apart from the sound of the helicopter blades and the fact he was being administered pain relief. Daniel says "I was in so much pain and wanted to get my crash helmet off of my head, but I realised it wouldn’t be wise. I was so grateful for the medical crew and the help they gave me for my pain, it was horrible."

His mum, Joanne Brown says "I felt trapped at work as I knew there was nothing I could do to get to my son. I was told he was in safe hands and on his way to hospital by air ambulance. I did feel relieved that he was being looked after. But because he was being airlifted I also realised he was in quite a serious condition. I did eventually get to my boy, as my other son - Dean, drove me to hospital and was such a support."

Sussex Air Ambulance paramedic, Natalie Brodrick was on the desk at the South East Coast Ambulance HQ that day, and said "When Daniel's incident came through, I knew instantly that he would need our help. We got to the scene within ten minutes and our HEMS (Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) crew gave him pain relief, cleaned his wound and straightened his leg ready for surgery – this also prevents long term injury. We knew the most appropriate hospital was in Guildford. He was flown there for emergency surgery.

His right leg was shattered during the accident and is now held together by 36 staples and two steel rods. The Doctors at Guildford also advised Daniel to stop smoking or face losing his leg. Daniel is proud to say "I instantly gave up smoking, as I knew about the serious consequences if I didn't. I also never thought I'd have an accident, but I did and don’'t like to think about what state I'd be in if I had not been wearing my leathers."

His mum, Joanne said "We are so grateful for the Sussex Air Ambulance. They did such a great job in saving his leg. Daniel's step-father Steve said "It's hard to believe this service is a charity – it's such a vital cause, we know first hand how important this service is."