A grateful father has thanked the crew of Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance for coming to his daughter’s assistance.
After falling from her bike during a school event, Leigh Morris had to be flown to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for urgent treatment.
The 13-year-old was left in agony following the accident at Dunbar Grammar School and concerned teachers quickly summoned paramedics.
It was feared that the teenager had sustained a broken leg, so Helimed 76 was despatched from Perth Airport to assist. Dad Jamie told The Courier he was “a bit shocked” to hear that Leigh had been taken to hospital by air ambulance.
“I was working in Haddington when I received a call saying that she had been hurt,” he said.
“She had been taking part in a cycling trek at the school when she fell off her bike, which then came down on top of her. They queried whether or not her leg was broken or dislocated and phoned for an ambulance.”
Mr Morris revealed that the teenager was “a bit bemused” when the SCAA crew arrived, as she had been given gas and air for the pain, but said the team did a “great job”.
Fortunately, doctors discovered that Leigh had only suffered a bad sprain and after spending a couple of days recovering, is now back at school.
Her father also praised staff at the East Lothian school, saying: “They were fantastic and really looked after her.
“You can also imagine what a helicopter landing on their playing fields is going to do to the ground.”
Dunbar Grammar School confirmed it was now considering hosting a fundraising drive on behalf of SCAA and that proposals would be put to its charity committee.
Chief executive of SCAA, Gavin Davey, said he hoped that more patients who have benefited from Helimed 76 will come forward with their stories.
“We would really like to hear from as many people as possible,” he said.
“It really helps the paramedics know they are doing a worthwhile job. We are completely reliant on charitable donations from businesses, trusts and individuals, so it’s good to show them what we are doing.”