Dave Farr's Story

Added on: 26 August 2009

Dave Farr had an accident at work. We'll let him explain ...

'On 15th February 2007 I was crushed by a falling steel shutter, which nearly cut me in half. I was taken by the Air Ambulance to the RD&E Hospital, Exeter, where I was in hospital for 6 months, the outcome being a hindquarter and leg amputation.

If it wasn't for the Air Ambulance, I would have died from loss of blood. when in hospital, my goal was to walk my daughter down the aisle at her wedding - which I did!

My daughter and son-in-law asked for donations to be made to the Devon Air Ambulance Trust, instead of presents.

It has taken me a long time to get well enough and to come to terms with the accident, but thanks to the excellent care from the hospital, and the speed of the Air Ambulance in getting there at the time of the accident, I am slowly getting my life back together.'

Dave and his family joined us at the launch of G-DVAA, the Exeter based helicopter in September 2008, and also agreeing to undertake press interviews, which we are extremely grateful for. We were able to introduce him on the day to the crew who looked after him, which, as you can imagine, was an extremely emotional reunion.

Dave is pictured second from left with Helen Mackie and Nigel Hare, who were the paramedics who looked after him when he was airlifted, together with our founder Ann Rali who travelled all the way from the Cayman Islands, where she now lives, to be with us for the launch day.

He also features on our promotional 5 minute dvd.

Back to news articles