Lucky-to-be-alive grandad praises Derbyshire air ambulance crew on anniversary of horror collision

Dave and Kate Farmer have helped to raise money for the Derbyshire Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance after a crew saved Dave's life four years ago.

Dave Farmer was driving along Winnats Pass, near Castleton, four years ago when he saw a car travelling towards him on the approach to a bend. He pulled over but the oncoming car went into the air, zig-zagged and bounced towards him.

In a split second, the approaching vehicle flipped and landed on top of Dave’s car.

Dave was unconscious and had multiple injuries, including a fractured skull and collapsed lungs, when he was pulled out of his burning car before the flames took hold.

Dave Farmer was pulled out of a burning vehicle following the collision.

An air ambulance team, including a doctor and two critical care paramedics, carried out surgical procedures at the roadside to enable Dave to breathe easier.

During a week in hospital Dave had plates put in his broken jaw and was treated for broken ribs; skull, eye socket and neck fractures and two bleeds on the brain.

He has been left with some loss of hearing and vision, problems with his wrist and fingers and acquired dylexia.

Dave, 59, of Crewe, said: “I am lucky to be alive and people should know that it is down to the air ambulance. My grandson was only four months old when the accident happened and I have seen him grow up and his sister come into the world.”

Together with his wife Kate, Dave has participated in three collections for Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland Air Ambulance. Dave said: “But no words and no amount of fundraising can express my and my family’s gratitude for saving my life.”