Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust: Chris’ Story
“Every day brings a new challenge, but that’s what I love about this job – it’s not just work, it’s a way of life.” – In the story below farmer, Chris Gray, walks us through the day of his farming accident and the Air Ambulance team that came to his rescue.
As a seasoned crop and cattle farmer in Colchester, Chris knows the highs and lows of farming all too well – it’s a profession that requires passion, perseverance and relentless hard work. “It was a difficult morning,” Chris recalls. “After making silage, we needed to move all of the cows across the field. I was driving the JCB Telehandler at the time, but the cows started getting away from me. I decided it would be quicker to jump out to round them up rather than trying to manoeuvre the JCB around them.
I thought I had the handbrake secured, but it didn’t catch. As I jumped out, I snagged on the steering wheel, lost my balance and fell.” Chris was winded as he crashed to the ground, but the machine was still turning sharply and landed directly on top of his right leg. Chris remembers the weight of the machine crushing his leg and hearing a loud crack. His leg “felt like it was on fire, but jelly at the same time.” One of his colleagues managed to reverse the tractor off his leg while Chris reached for his phone and loaded up the app “what3words,” giving emergency services his precise location.
The Essex & Herts Air Ambulance critical care team arrived at the scene of the farming accident, with the helicopter making a precise landing in the field close to Chris. This quick access enabled pre-hospital care doctor, Dr Sarah Morton and critical care paramedic, Laurie Phillipson to administer strong painkillers before his safe transfer to Colchester Hospital for further treatment. After spending six days in hospital, Chris returned home on crutches to continue his recovery. Six weeks later, his efforts were rewarded with medical clearance to drive – a huge moment as it meant he could also return to light duty.
Now back on the farm he loves, Chris is reminded of the dangers he and farmers across the country face.
“I always knew I worked in one of the most dangerous jobs in the UK. Don’t get me wrong, if I hear someone reversing the JCB in the yard, I’m quick to look for it now. I’m probably more aware of the risks, but I love being back. I’m really invested in the farm, so being able to manage 13,000 steps in a day again is positive, and I need to keep progressing.”
