Those that helped me in my time of need
The first person on the scene had the unenviable job of phoning Sheila and telling her of the situation
The Emergency Services
were quickly on the scene with PC Tim Thoday and PC Stuart Webb from Essex Police being the first to arrive - they were based, at that time, in Newport Police Station which has long since gone and was the headquarters for the Roads Policing Unit - apparently they were having a break and someone knocked on the door and told them about my predicament- they were on scene almost as the dust was still settling
In the eerie silence that followed their sirens were a welcome sound and I knew then that I would be safe
The Fire & Rescue Service arrived soon after, the Retained Fire Crews from Newport and Saffron Walden - and as to be expected the Newport Crew arrived first closely followed by the Saffron Walden crews the Rescue Tender from Harlow arrived about 45 minutes later
There were also several ambulances in attendance from what was the Essex Ambulance Service which has now been merged with the East of England Ambulance Service as they had been told it was a multiple vehicle accident
Initially the Fire Service tried to cut me out to be removed from the driver’s door but this failed and eventually I was extricated through the back of the van and one of the firefighters used his body to pull me over the top of him
- this took probably an hour and a half
Essex Police
Essex Fire & Rescue Service
Essex Ambulance Service
Fun Fact
I worked for Uttlesford District Council
at the time and had shown the Saffron Walden fire crews around the Council Offices in order to familiarise them with the building and upon their arrival the conversation went "Oh it is the bloke from the Council - there is something sticking into his leg - NO it is his bones sticking out" Thanks guys!!
How lucky am I...
Working on me in the back of an ambulance
The Doctor’s and the Paramedics, apparently, worked on my left foot, in the ambulance, for 1.5 hours trying to manipulate the bone to obtain a Pedal Pulse - there was talk of possible amputation as my life was in danger, and was undoubtably saved by the hard work of these people at the roadside
Of course I knew nothing of this, the medical staff had given me something and I was out of it
Next thing I knew I was at Addenbrooke's A&E sometime later
