October 2009 - Military Doctor attends A606 crash

Friday, October 16, 2009, 09:30

Fire crews and paramedics battled to free a woman trapped in her overturned car with serious neck injuries. An emergency doctor from the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme was called to the scene after the air ambulance was grounded by the weather.

Paramedics who attended the single-vehicle accident on the A606, a mile from Ketton crossroads in Rutland, called for a doctor because of the nature of her injuries. The Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance had been dispatched, but had to turn back because of bad weather.

Major Leon Roberts, a doctor with the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme based at St George's Barracks in North Luffenham, five miles away, went to the scene instead. He said: "A 49-year-old woman had suffered critical injuries. "The paramedics from East Midlands Ambulance Service got her out in quick time.

"I've checked her condition and she's doing well and has been transferred to Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge for specialist treatment."

Fire crews from Oakham cut the woman free from her blue Citroen Xsara. Oakham watch manager Tom Neal said: "It was a difficult extrication because the vehicle was on its roof up against a pile of stones."