A heavy fall for a rider while out hacking on her Clydesdale prompted Devon Air Ambulance to come to their rescue. Their story is being shared during Air Ambulance Week (9-15 September).
In February, Caroline was out riding with her friend Holly on Aylesbeare Common when a noise on the other side of a hedge caused her 17.3hh “gentle giant” Clyde to bolt, bronc and rear up. The rider was thrown off when the heavy breed bucked for a third time.
“As Clyde bolted, I remember shouting out to Holly, ‘Here we go again — this is going to hurt!’ and within seconds I fell on to the rough track with big stones and rubble underneath me,” recalls Caroline.
She immediately felt pain in her right hip and shoulder. A nurse called Julie was walking nearby and called 999.
Clyde took off across the common, but brought himself back to the scene unharmed.
Devon Air Ambulance’s Exeter-based helicopter, which was already airborne having been on its way to Plymouth and stood down, was the first of the emergency services to arrive at the scene.
“It felt like the helicopter arrived so quickly. It was literally there within just four or five minutes,” says Caroline. “The 999 call handler informed us that the heli was on its way and within seconds we heard it overhead. The NHS land ambulance arrived not long afterwards.”
‘The crew were brilliant’
Caroline was rescued by Devon Air Ambulance after a heavy fall out hacking
Caroline adds that she started to think she must have a serious injury for an air ambulance to be attending.
Her fingers were beginning to feel numb and tingly. She started to cry due to the overwhelming sense of relief.
“The crew that attended me were specialist paramedic Cat McMorrow, Dr Lauren Weekes and pilot Richard Applegarth — they were all amazing,” she says.
“Ironically, I found out later that Cat was also airlifted by the air ambulance 15 years ago after a similar fall from her horse and suffering arm and shoulder injuries.
“She was therefore experienced in the pitfalls of riding and also understood how to handle our horses too.
“The crew were brilliant from the moment they arrived to the treatment I received and throughout my helicopter ride. They even covered my eyes from the glaring sun as I lay on the stretcher.”
Stabilised at the scene
Specialist Paramedic in Critical Care, Cat, explained that whilst on scene, she could hear thundering hooves as the wild horses that had made the noise that caused Clyde to spook were curious of the helicopter — and not scared of it at all.
In fact, the paramedic watched them attempting to take a nibble out of the helicopter while she was on a call to the hospital.
Caroline was stabilised at the scene and then airlifted to the Royal Devon & Exeter hospital. X-rays showed she had fractured her shoulder socket due to its dislocation and had severe bruising to her hip.
She was advised by doctors not to ride again for several months.
“This is my third accident whilst riding Clyde in the last eight years, so here’s hoping he behaves himself and stays calm,” says Caroline.
“I can’t thank the Devon Air Ambulance crew enough. They do a fantastic job and were able to really keep my spirits up while helping me at the scene of the accident and on board the helicopter.
“I even got a call a couple of days after the accident from their Patient and Family Support team to see how I was feeling and if I had any questions for them. They really are the best and Devon can’t afford to be without them.”
Vital funds
Caroline’s local equine shop, Hidden Oak, and café have since offered to help with fundraising activities for the Air Ambulance.
“I am so grateful to the Devon Air Ambulance supporters, who enabled me to receive the care that I did,” adds Caroline. “So please do donate to this wonderful cause if you can.”
Air Ambulance Week, organised by Air Ambulances UK, which is the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness and funds for the charities’ life-saving work
There are 37 air ambulance helicopters in the UK operated by 21 air ambulance charities.
In 2023 alone, the Air Ambulance rescued more than 208 riders at an average cost of £4,110* every time the helicopter is called out. It receives no government funding and so depends on public donations in order to operate,
*Cost varies depending on geography, patient need, clinical and operational models of the local air ambulance charity.
To show your support for Air Ambulance Week, you can make a one-off donation to Air Ambulances UK or get in direct contact with your local air ambulance charity.
Main image of Devon Air Ambulance supplied by Air Ambulances UK. Inset: Caroline Sansom
