New Mills lorry driver says air ambulance saved his life after horror fall

Kev Snodgrass, 70, suffered multiple injuries after plummeting from the top of a tank he was unloading at Hindlow Quarry in August.

Father-of-three Kev sustained 19 broken ribs, a broken pelvis, three broken spinal bones, a fractured sternum and a head injury during the horror fall.

Kev, who has now retired after his accident, said his last memory before waking up four days later at Sheffield’s Northern General hospital was placing the lid back down on the tanker.

Two ambulances raced to the scene however Kev’s injuries were so bad paramedics called for an air ambulance immediately.

Kev, who is still recovering at home, said: “I shut the lid and stood up then I don’t remember anything - I was absolutely spark-out.

“I don’t know whether I slipped or tripped but they found me lying on the concrete at the side of the tanker - I’d knocked myself out on the way down.”

Kev was put into an induced coma and his injuries were so serious medics feared he would not survive the surgery needed to put him back together again.

He said: “They operated on me but said they didn’t think I’d come out of it.

“The surgeon told my wife I may not survive the operations - but I did and woke up in hospital thinking ‘what’s going on?’”

The dad-of-three spent 17 days in hospital and he is still recovering now – receiving physiotherapy and painkiller drugs at home.

Kev said: “If it had not been for the air ambulance I would not be here - it’ll take about two years to recover but I’ve never been one for giving up.”

As a thank you to the air ambulance service Kev is organising a family fun day at the Masons Arms pub in New Mills on April 12 from 12-noon until late.

Entertainment includes a raffle, Bubble Man, lucky dip, tombola, face painting, live band and an auction.