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Biker’s life ‘saved by air ambulance’
THIS is the picture taken as doc- tors fought to save the life of a Maidstone motorcyclist after a high-speed crash. Michael Forsdyke (30) broke his
neck, back, collarbone, six ribs and his pelvis in the smash on the A20 near Ashford in July 2013. It is thought hemademedical his-
tory by becoming the first patient in the UK to survive two emergency medical procedures at the side of a road. He needed a blood transfusion
and emergency treatment to save his life before he was flown to the Royal London Hospital. Michael, an account manager at Bearsted-based software developer GForces, spent three months in hos- pital, followed by three months of recovery at home before he was fi- nally able to return to work. His incredible story was featured
in the BBC2 documentaryAn Hour To SaveYour Life as he underwent a resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta at the major trauma centre. The accident happened just hours
after Michael learned he was in re- mission following three months of chemotherapy for testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs. Looking back on that day, he said:
“I’dreceived a letter frommyoncol- ogist saying the tumours had
Lions to man
charity car park CHRISTMAS shoppers and football supporters can help charity when they use the car park at the Countygate office in Staceys Street. The car park will be manned
by members of Maidstone Lions’ Club from 10am to 5pm every Saturday from Novem- ber 28 until Christmas. Anyone wanting further in- formation about Maidstone Lions Club can ring Malcolm Luxton on 01795 841439.
Formore local news
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shrunk and I was in remission, so I thought I would let my sister know in person. My next memory was waking up on the ward about a month later.” Michael, who went to meet air ambulance doctors Magnus Nelson and Steph Tilston and paramedic Adam Ormrod for the first time since the accident, said: “I shouldn’t have survived but I did, thanks to the air ambulance.” He describes the last two years as
crazy and thanked his friends and family for supporting him. He added: “I don’t think I’dbe alive if it wasn’t for them and work col- leagues who supported me. I’ll never be able to repay them.” Dr Nelson said: “To see Michael
living a normal life is a phenomenal testament not only to the work of the ambulance service, the air am- bulance, but the whole chain of or- ganisations involved in his care. “I’d never seen anyone looking so
sick as he did and looking so well now. He has made an amazing re- covery.”
Michael’s friend,AmyJohnston, a project manager from Aylesford, presented the air ambulance team with a £145 thank-you after jumping out of an aeroplane on her 30th birthday in a sponsored skydive. She hopes Michael will join her in a repeat performance next year.
Murdered Carl
family move THE family of a man murdered on an island in the Indian Ocean have moved from Hollingbourne to Scot- land to escape the memories. Four years after his death on the island of Reunion, the family of Carl Davies are still seeking justice. Four men charged with the mur- der are in jail awaiting trial. Carl (33) had left a teaching job in Sittingbourne to take up a security job on a ship when he was killed. His father Andy and his wife Maria have moved out of the area to escape the reminders of where Carl used to work and socialise. The couple plan to fly to Reunion for the trial when a date is set.
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