Freddie, 10, meets the crew who airlifted him near St Austell

A field near St Austell was the last place anyone expected to need a helicopter. Last summer, on day six of a family holiday more than 300 miles from home, 10-year-old Freddie was playing with other children at a campsite when he fell and another child landed awkwardly on his leg. The scream brought his family running, and within minutes an AW169 was on its way.

A holiday that turned into an emergency

Freddie had suffered a severe break to his upper leg. His family called for an ambulance straight away, and Cornwall Air Ambulance was dispatched moments later. Pilot Andy Westwood and Critical Care Paramedics Martin Bunt and Pete Storer landed in a nearby field.

The break was a spiral fracture to the femur, and Freddie needed advanced pain relief before his leg could be moved. The crew gave him morphine and ketamine, which works as pain relief and has sedative properties, so they could safely realign the leg and carry him to the waiting aircraft. He was then airlifted to the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Mum Caroline said: “It was scary but also reassuring that he had help almost immediately, and they were so calm and collected, they talked us through everything that was required.”

📷Credit: Cornwall Air Ambulance

A week at Treliske

At Treliske, Freddie stayed in traction before going into surgery, where a 20cm metal plate was screwed into his femur. He was in hospital for just under a week before being discharged and heading home.

“They made such a difference to a situation that could have been much more significant,” Caroline said. “It’s an exceptional service, we couldn’t fault them. Martin was the nicest, smiley, happy person and just made you feel at ease. I think they’re heroes in red.”

📷Credit: Cornwall Air Ambulance

One year on, back to say thank you

A year later, Freddie and his family have returned to Cornwall for another holiday, and this time they came to the airbase to see the helicopter up close and meet some of the crew who had helped him. The family also made a generous donation to the charity.

For Freddie, it filled in a gap. The day of the accident is mostly a blank, so this was his first proper look at the aircraft that carried him to hospital.

You can help the crew be there for more patients like Freddie by donating to Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Freddie said: “I’ve felt really excited to see the helicopter as I can’t remember seeing it when I broke my leg. This has been one of the best places I’ve been to, it’s so interesting and the people here help others every day.”

📷Credit: Cornwall Air Ambulance