summer 2019 | PATIENTS
Laura in hospital with her dog
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Laura’s reunion with Murphy
“ It was a real team effort with great initial assistance from Sam and the Community First Responder and the local Coastguards ” had obvious physical injuries from the fall, but it was also apparent her brain had been starved of oxygen as she was caught by the incoming waves. Our priority was to stabilise her for the flight to North Devon District Hospital just as swiftly as possible. It was a real team effort with great initial assistance from Sam and the Community First Responder and the local Coastguards.” Later that day, Laura was transferred from North Devon
District Hospital to Plymouth’s Derriford Hospital where she remained in Intensive Care for a week before finally turning the corner and beginning the lengthy journey of recovery, including intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Sam was delighted to catch up personally with Laura several months later back in Gloucestershire, and was impressed with her determination. “It was really great to see Laura again
and she looked so well! She really is very driven and was completely focussed on getting better.” Learning that Laura and Tom were planning to visit Devon again in April this year, paramedic Dave Huyton was delighted to organise a reunion with some of the emergency personnel involved in her rescue. Meeting Laura at DAA’s Eaglescott airbase, Dave said, “We were all really relieved to learn that, despite serious injuries and possible long-term
consequences, Laura has made a remarkable recovery; it’s fantastic news and really brilliant to see her again.” Laura explained, “It’s only down to my incredible team of rescuers, including those at DAA, that I am here today; thanks to their rapid response after my freak horse riding accident last spring. The aircrew and all emergency crews are amazing, they literally are saving lives. I will be forever grateful.”o