Matthew Wilkin and Daniel Jeys

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The day of September 19^th is a date that has been forever etched in the minds of a Kent family who, not once but twice, in as many years, gave thanks to the work carried out by the HEMS team of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Air Ambulance Service.

Type of Incident - Road Traffic Collision

Date of Incident - 19/09/07

Time - 12:10

Location - Station Raod, Cuxton

On that fateful day in 2007, Tina Wilkin was walking her three children back from school in Cuxton - as they were crossing the busy A228, they were forced to stop on a traffic island to wait for passing vehicles. It was then that 2 year old Matthew decided to jump off his buggy bike and to cross the road on his own, before Tina could do anything to stop him. At that time a 40 ton truck was making its way along that same road - it collided with little Matthew, throwing him around 15 feet into the air.

 

For Tina, the world seemed to stand still - luckily there were people nearby to help her during what she calls a 'devastating' time. It wasn't long before the Kent Air Ambulance team had landed on the road and were treating Matthew - his injuries were extensive - five skull fractures, a ruptured spleen, a collapsed lung, a fractured pelvis and several broken ribs. The impact to his two year old body was severe.

 

Tina told us "there was a point I remember hearing somebody say 'they were losing him', but because of the true brilliance of the medical team, they thankfully managed to stabilise him." Tina said she'll never forget that moment, "I couldn't believe what was happening to my baby, I lost my voice from crying so much."

 

Matthew was flown to the Royal London Hospital, while his mum was 'blue lighted' in a land ambulance. Later that day the toddler was transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital's intensive care unit. He was kept on a ventilator for some time to allow his swollen brain to recover. He was eventually taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital where he made progress, but had to learn to do 'everything' again, although Tina recalls one of the first things he said was "Postman Pat".

 

Since then Matthew's made a good recovery, and despite issues with his balance he's doing well academically and he starts infant school in September - he can't wait. Also, following Matthew's accident, a pedestrian crossing has been installed on the A228, through extensive campaigning.

Type of Incident - Mountain Bike Accident

Date of Incident - 19/09/08

Time - 15:00

Location - Burham Wood

 

In 2008, exactly a year on, almost to the same hour, Tina's Auntie, Jane Jayes, received a phone call informing her that her son, 26 year old Daniel had been involved in a mountain bike accident and was on his way by air ambulance to the same hospital in Whitechapel.

 

Daniel, a machine operator, and his friend Dean, were out mountain biking off road in the Bluebell Hill area of Medway when Daniel collided with a tree. He admits to cycling down a hill and taking a bend "way too fast" before coming off his bike and flying head first into a tree, ending up with his bike entangled in his legs.

 

Daniel's friend managed to get help from a nearby farm, he was transported up a hill to a field where the helicopter could land and the HEMS team could then treat Daniel's injuries.

 

By the time his mum and fiancé, Kerry got to the Royal London Hospital, Daniel was being operated on. The operating team were removing two blood clots from his brain. Jane told us "It seemed to take forever before we could see him, we were also told to keep an open mind".

 

Like his second cousin Matthew, just a year before him, they treated Daniel for a fractured skull, a collapsed lung and several broken ribs, but the 26 year old also had a broken neck and several fractured vertebrae. 

 

Months on and after another operation on his spine, Daniel has made a good recovery, he makes it a priority to wear a cycle helmet every time he goes out on his bike. Daniel's also pledged to sign up to the Kent Air Ambulance's 2010 challenge to 'Cycle Cuba' to raise money and give something back.

 

Daniel told us "I can't believe it happened, I'm very lucky to be alive and I now grab every opportunity, I enjoy life so much more". Daniel made it his mission this year to attend the open days at the charity's Marden and Dunsfold bases. He said "I managed to meet Richard, the paramedic who saved my life, those guys are just incredible".

 

Daniel now plans to marry his fiancé Kerry as soon as possible - however a date that he'll be staying very clear of is September 19^th.