Victor's Story

While helping to build a shed for his friend on the Orkney Island of Sanday, Victor fell off a ladder and heard the sickening break of bone.

“The pain was excruciating,” he recalls, “I was on my own when it happened but thankfully, I had my phone on me.

“I remember lying there and contacting the surgery on Sanday. Within 15 minutes the doctor and nurse were on the scene as was the local land ambulance.”

Due to the complex nature of Victor’s leg break, and the remote island location, Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance was tasked from its Aberdeen base.

Helimed 79 landed on Sanday to assist 49-year-old Victor and transfer him to advanced hospital care.

“When the air ambulance arrived,” he reflects, “the interaction between the two groups of medical professionals was quick, professional and reassuring.  

“I had no choice but to put my trust into the SCAA paramedics and they didn't disappoint. I felt that I was very fortunate to be transported directly to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary (ARI) to receive the specialist treatment I needed.

“I strongly believe that taking me direct to Aberdeen had a big impact on my recovery and got me out of hospital faster than if I was transferred to Kirkwall.”

Victor was packaged carefully into the aircraft and transferred to ARI in just over one hour. During this flight, his pain levels were managed, and he was kept as comfortable as possible.

“The crew communicated what was happening the entire time,” he admits. “The sequence of events was seamless from the start. When we landed, very little time was spent waiting around. I was moved along quickly and professionally.”

Once at ARI, an X-ray determined that Victor had broken the bone halfway down his shin and metal pins were inserted into his leg.

Without an air ambulance service, the alternative journey for Victor post-accident would have most likely involved an estimated two-hour ferry journey to Kirkwall, with the potential of being transferred to Aberdeen from Balfour Hospital.

“I think that would have added at least an extra day onto my recovery,” he comments. “Because the sequence of events happened so quickly, it has made a massive difference to my overall recovery time.

“Quite frankly it was just amazing to know I could be delivered directly to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in just over an hour.

“Because of the location of the island, we would be lost without the air ambulance resource. We’re very fortunate to know the service is available for us living on the island.”