It’s never too late It was twenty years ago that father and son, Jon and Joe Wyatt, were involved in a road traffic collision and were both airlifted by Devon Air Ambulance to the brand new, three day old, Accident & Emergency department at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital

Twenty years on...

It’s never too late to contact Devon Air Ambulance if you’ve benefi ted from the service and a message from Joe Wyatt early this year is testament to this.

Joe’s email started with: “The 19th April 2021 will mark 20 years since my Dad and I were involved in a car accident and suff ered severe injuries. I owe my life to the Devon Air Ambulance crew, so I thought it was about time I got in touch to thank the team!”

Joe explained, “I was 15 years old and my Dad and I were heading from Bridport to Exeter on a day out together when a car suddenly appeared on the wrong side of the road heading towards us, after it had swerved to avoid another vehicle. I shouted “look out” but it was too late - we were hit headon, with the passenger side where I was seated taking the full force of the impact.”

Joe’s dad Jon continues, “There was an incredible noise and a terrifi c impact that swung our car round. Then it all seemed strangely still and quiet, except for the moans of pain from Joe. The windscreen was shattered and liquid was spilling from the car into the road. I knew I had to get Joe out but, as soon as I put my foot to the ground, it was obvious I’d broken my ankle, so I hopped round to his side. Realising his door was compacted and wouldn’t open, I hopped back and pulled him across the driver’s seat to the grass verge, thankfully his legs weren’t trapped.”

Joe remembers, “By now a Joe remembers, “By now a lot of cars had stopped and people were pacing up and down. Amidst all the chaos, several of them kicked my injured ankle by accident - I can still vividly remember the excruciating pain! I also pulled down my sleeve to see my wrist bone was badly broken and almost protruding through the skin.”

The most vivid memory of the Devon Air Ambulance helicopter landing close by was that of a great sense of relief. Jon was aware that his son had suff ered multiple injuries and was grateful that the aircrew were there to assume responsibility for Joe’s care. Joe, meanwhile, recalls their professionalism and said, “The DAA crew were incredibly effi cient and thorough in tending to my injuries and quickly identifi ed that blood wasn’t fl owing to my left hand due to the severity of the break in my wrist.”

Joe and Jon were both airlifted to the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, attended initially in the brand-new Accident & Emergency department, which had opened just three days earlier. They were reassured to be in beds alongside each other before being separated for

Joe, left and Dad Jon. right.

Joe’s surgery to repair breaks to his hip, leg and wrist. Jon remembers it being a very long night as Joe was in Intensive Care before facing further surgery the following day.

After a week in RD&E, Joe was transferred to Dorchester Hospital for a further two weeks. He remembers, “With injuries to both legs and a broken wrist I wasn’t initially able to use crutches, so I was in a wheelchair. With intensive physio I started the long recovery process just to get walking again. I missed a whole term off school but my family, friends and home tutor were amazing throughout and kept my spirits high. I was able to get back to playing football, albeit very badly!”

Joe concludes, “I am so incredibly grateful to the Devon Air Ambulance and the amazing crew who rescued us that day and reassured my Dad that everything would be ok. The metalwork in my arm and leg had to be removed six months later but one of the three screws is still in my ankle to this day as it couldn’t be found during surgery! And thankfully, that screw doesn’t set off the metal detector at airports!” 

Joe and mun Hannah in hospital