Date of incident -04/09/07

Time - 2.30pm

Location - Shadwell Woods, Rusthall, Tunbridge Wells

Heather Macken needed the help of the Kent Air Ambulance on 4 September 2007 when she injured her side whilst out walking with her faithful dog, Fern. Mrs Macken was in Shadwell Woods just outside Tunbridge Wells with a friend.  Fern, an excitable lurcher, careered into her and knocked her off balance. Mrs Macken landed awkwardly on her side with such force that she could not get up.

 

Whilst her friend went to take the dogs back and raise the alarm, Mrs Macken was forced to remain on her own in agony. During this time she was very cold and fearful for her blood pressure as she has suffered from heart conditions in the past.

 

It was an hour and a half later that her friend returned as she had been trying to guide the land ambulance. Because of the remoteness of the location, the land ambulance crew had already called for Kent Air Ambulance who arrived just 10 minutes later. As soon as Mrs Macken heard the rotor blades she felt very reassured and instantly calmer. The Doctor quickly assessed her at the scene and the crew were able to ease Mrs Macken onto the helicopter and fly to a nearby cricket pitch where the land ambulance was waiting to take her to hospital. Mrs Macken was discharged from hospital that day with a severely bruised knee.

 

Mrs Macken describes the Air Ambulance crew as ‘angels’ and adds ‘I think they’re incredible. What on earth would people do without them? If you’re in terrible pain and can’t move and a land ambulance can’t get to you, what might happen? I thank my lucky stars that the crew were on hand to help me that day. Thank you to them all’.

 

 

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