John's Story

As his bicycle crested the famous Bouglie summit near Loch Ranza on the isle of Arran, retired schoolteacher John was in his element.

Within minutes of starting his decent, however, John was thrown from his bike, tearing and breaking his body against the rough tarmac.

As John was knocked unconscious, the race began to save his life.

"When I came to, I couldn't breath very well and I couldn't feel my right arm and shoulder," relived John. "I remember lying staring at the glorious blue skies and thinking that whatever happened next was down to the emergency system kicking in and saving me."

When the rest of the school cycling outing caught up with John, calls were already mobilising emergency services to the scene. And one look at John's extensive injuries by paramedics and a passing doctor prompted an immediate call for air ambulance assistance to the remote island location.

A road ambulance carefully transported John to the foot of the hill where Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) touched down 15 minutes later.

"It is a very emotional moment when you hear the helicopter arriving and you know you will soon be in hospital," explained John. "It was only later when I discovered the time-critical extent and seriousness of my injuries that I realised the vital role SCAA played in saving my life."

John's catalogue of horrendous injuries included: two punctured lungs; six broken ribs; bones smashed above and below the right elbow; elbow flesh torn away to the bone; broken right shoulder blade; lumps of flesh torn from right shoulder and arm; concussion and multiple abrasions the length of his right side and leg.

"SCAA flew me to vital hospital care in just 10 minutes, giving me the best chance of survival and recovery," said John.

"It really was a race against time and without SCAA who knows what would have happened.

"I spent four hours in theatre as surgeons worked on my broken body - replacing missing bone with pins and wire - and then 11 days in the High Dependency Unit.

"SCAA's role in my accident is inestimable," added John. "It is an outstanding charity and I'm just one of hundreds who owe them so much.

"SCAA is literally a lifeline - especially to remote and rural locations. It's a must for Scotland and I'll be a supporter for life."