A FAMILY has thanked the air ambulance crew who saved their son’s life as he turns seven.
Four years ago, William Morris was fighting for his life after fracturing his skull.
But as he celebrates his seventh birthday, there is hardly a trace of the ordeal the youngster went through. And all he remembers is the “orange men” in the helicopter who flew to his aid.
William, from Throphill, was stood on a platform at the top of a slide in a play area at Morpeth, Northumberland, when he stepped backwards and fell, hitting his head on a stone.
Any parent’s heart would stop at that moment but William’s parents, Janet Kerwin and Chris Morris, knew even more keenly the dangers – they are both neuroscientists at Newcastle University.
Fortunately, the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) rushed to William’s aid.
The crew treated him at the scene before flying him to Newcastle General Hospital in just seven minutes.
The crack in Will’s skull missed damaging crucial blood vessels in his brain by the tiniest of fractions, and the quick treatment he received helped him make a full recovery.
Will has now celebrated his seventh birthday with a pool party, and joined his school football team at Whalton First School in Morpeth.
“Time was of the essence,” explains Dr Kerwin, “Will’s chances were definitely increased because of the speed he got to hospital and the GNAAS provides that essential ingredient.
“Now he’s a happy, bright and lively seven-year-old. Thankfully he has forgotten much of his ordeal although he does remember ‘the orange men’ who helped him and if we ever hear a helicopter we always look up to see if it’s ‘his’.
“Words cannot express how grateful we are for the fantastic work the air ambulance crew do – they truly are life savers.”
Mandy Drake, deputy director at GNAAS, said: “It is great to hear from former patients because you can really appreciate how the great work of the charity lives on. We need £4m every year to keep the service going and we are so grateful for all the support we receive.”
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