Just minutes after waving goodbye to my wife and children, and just 400m from my front door, what had begun as a beautiful summer’s morning cycle unexpectedly turned into the most challenging day of my life.
It was Monday 18 July 2022 and with temperatures set to rise into the high 30s, on one of the hottest days of the year, I took the opportunity to enjoy a ride before work.
I have always been a safety conscious cyclist, and that day was no different. I put on my reflective cycling gear, and helmet, and headed out.
As I turned out of my road and began cycling south along a downhill section of the A286 towards Midhurst, a vehicle on the opposite carriageway took a right turn directly across my path, resulting in a head-on collision.
I remember when I first saw the vehicle. I wasn’t concerned initially as we were on opposite sides of the carriageway. I then saw the vehicle indicating to turn right, and I still wasn’t concerned at that point. As I saw the vehicle start to make the turn just metres in front of me, I realised that I was in serious trouble. Thoughts flashed through my mind in a split second, and then that final realisation – this is going to really, really hurt. Fortunately, I have no recollection of the immediate impact, as I was knocked unconscious and thrown into the air, landing some distance away.
The first thing I remember when I regained consciousness, which I understand was around 10 minutes later, is doing a mental body scan and thinking “this is not good, I’m in bad shape”. Various body parts were pointing in the wrong direction, and the pain was getting rapidly worse.
Fortunately, an off-duty medic in a following car had seen the incident and stopped to help. They were supporting my head as the land ambulance, police and fire brigade crews arrived a short while later. I recall a lot of voices, a lot going on, and feeling very disorientated.
The next thing I clearly remember was the arrival of the crew from Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) a few minutes later.
In safe hands
The KSS crew brought a sense of calm a as they quickly got to work assessing me and providing me with stronger pain relief. It was clear that the KSS team were experienced dealing with these incidents, and they took control of the situation. With the benefit of the additional pain relief, the calm assurance that the team brought and the clear plan of action that was developed, a sense of reassurance set in. I was in safe hands.
Doctor Kevin Fong and HEMS Paramedic Tom Mikrut were the critical care team that flew to Sam that fateful morning.
Tom Mikrut can clearly recall arriving at the scene: “It was the hottest day of the year and we landed on a field at the cricket club “When we got there a Critical Care Paramedic and a land ambulance crew from SECAmb had arrived. The road was closed, and Sam was still on the floor. “We put the monitoring equipment on Sam, got some intravenous access, gave him some painkillers and sedated him and prepared him for transporting by helicopter. I remember Sam clearly because of the sense of humour he showed in a really bad situation.”
Kevin Fong remembers the severity of the collision: “Where he had been struck by the car there was quite a lot of damage to the engine compartment as well as to Sam.
“He was young and fit so his injuries weren’t all immediately apparent even though it was a forty mile an hour collision. His heart rate was slower than normal but when you are really fit that can be quite normal. He was a bit sweaty. That could have been because he’d been cycling but it could also have been a sign that he was bleeding.”
Tom: “We were quite concerned that he might have damaged his liver, which is why we took him to a major trauma centre in London.
“We took him to somewhere where he could receive the right care because he had complex needs. The journey by road would have been really uncomfortable for him and would have taken an hour and ten minutes whereas we were there in about ten minutes by air.
“It was great to meet Sam and hear that he has made a good recovery – it could have been very different, given the nature of his injuries. It really demonstrates the importance of cycling helmets. The potential for a big head injury was huge if he’d not been wearing one.”
The road to recovery
On arrival at the hospital, I was handed over to the team there and began what was to be a gruelling journey, to having several surgeries, beginning physio and to eventually being able to walk again.
The care provided made a huge impression on me and undoubtedly provided me with the best possible outcome from my accident. To think KSS is a charity which is funded through the support of people in communities across Kent, Surrey and Sussex is incredible.
I will forever be thankful to everyone that day; the off-duty medic, land ambulance crew, police and fire crews, and especially to KSS, for giving me the best possible outcome and ensuring that I’m still here today with my family.
There is no doubt in my mind that my helmet saved my life that day. If I hadn’t been wearing such a good quality helmet, things would have ended very differently. I encourage every cyclist out there to think safety first. Invest in the very best kit that you can because accidents can, do, and will happen. You can’t stop that. But what you can do is give yourself the best chance of survival by ensuring you have maximum protection.
What I’ve learned from the whole experience is that life can change in an instant. A beautiful morning cycle can turn into the most challenging day of your life. And that can happen to anyone, anywhere at any time. Miles from home, or just 400 metres from your front door.
Thank you to everyone who has and continues to support their local air ambulance charity so that they can keep flying and keep saving lives when the worst happens.
