A WOMAN has had an emotional reunion with the paramedic who saved her unborn baby after a head-on car crash.
Amy Louise Appleyard, who was six-months pregnant at the time, was driving to work for her last shift before she took maternity leave when the incident happened at Summerhouses, near Darlington, on August 9, 2014.
Last week she met Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) paramedic Andy Mawson, who was on board the aircraft at the time.
Amy, 23, who has recently moved to Hull from Darlington, had nearly arrived at the Raby Hunt Inn, Summerhouses, when the panic ensued. She said: “It was my very last day at the restaurant before maternity leave and I had been to the shops for work, so I arrived later than I normally would.
“Just before I made it to the entrance, the collision occurred and my car spun around. I tried to get out of the vehicle but as I did, I fell out. I can’t remember a lot apart from blurred faces and voices.
“Colleagues ran out to help and an ex-policeman stopped and wrapped me up in a blanket. A rapid response paramedic came and soon after GNAAS arrived.”
The GNAAS crew assessed and treated Amy before she was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough in just seven minutes. Thankfully, it was found she had only suffered minor injuries.
Amy’s daughter, Eva-Rose, is now eight months. She said: “When I look at her, I feel so lucky. I don’t have the words to say how grateful I am that they saved me and my baby. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about what happened. I was told that I was lucky to be alive as it could have been a lot worse.
“When I found out the service was run completely on donations, I was so shocked. It is an amazing charity. I’ve had a brilliant time at the airbase today and I feel it’s given me some closure.”
Paramedic Andy Mawson, said: “It is always a huge concern when a pregnant lady is involved in an incident so it was a great relief to hear that they were both fine. It’s been absolutely fantastic to see them again today and it was a privilege to meet baby Eva. I wish them all the best in the future.”
GNAAS is a charity that needs to raise £4.5m every year to stay operational. To donate click here.
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