Derbyshire cyclist thanks flying 999 service after leg severed in accident

A Derbyshire man whose right leg was severed in a cycling accident is re-telling his story to help the air ambulance raise funds during lockdown.
Jim GoldsbyJim Goldsby
Jim Goldsby

Jim Goldsby was treated by the critical care crew onboard Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) and flown to Royal Stoke Hospital in just 11 minutes.

An account of what happened to him in July last year is part of the charity’s spring fundraising campaign.

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Jim, from Whaley Bridge, said: “I want to share my story because I think it is important to get it out there exactly what a difference the local air ambulance makes in emergency situations.

"We all expect it to be there when we need it but unless people make donations and fundraise for the charity it won’t be.”

Jim, 48, was out cycling with his wife Elizabeth on the road between Hayfield and Chinley, a very rural part of the Peak District, when the accident happened.

The impact severed his right leg below the knee, he sustained an open fracture of his pelvis and a broken shoulder.

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He said: “I was extremely lucky that there were two first aiders in passing cars and they managed to stem the bleeding.

"One of them used his shirt to make a temporary tourniquet. They called 999 immediately and because they knew the serious extent of my injuries did all the right things keeping me still until the emergency services arrived.”

Jim remained conscious after he was injured and clearly remembers the noise of the DLRAA helicopter as it landed in a nearby field. But at one-point Jim started to lose his sight and feel drowsy and he thought he was saying a last goodbye to Elizabeth.

He added: “When I think back about what happened that’s the most upsetting thing about the whole scenario, but thankfully I survived.”

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It took just 11 minutes to fly him to Royal Stoke University Hospital, the nearest major trauma centre with a helipad.

Jim said: “If the charity didn’t raise enough money to keep the helicopters flying then it wouldn’t have been there for me and it won’t be there in the future to make a huge difference to other people’s lives.”

Anyone wishing to support the charity campaign can visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk or call 0300 3045 999.