A woman has made a “remarkable” recovery with the help of London’s Air Ambulance after she was hit by a 34-tonne dumper truck.

On July 12, 2017, Nicky was cycling home from her regular yoga class in Kensal Rise, Brent, when the driver of a 34-tonne truck didn’t see her.

The 59-year-old was hit from behind, dragged under the front of the lorry until she was separated from her bike, and then landed on the pavement.

The truck then ran over her right leg and left foot.

A witness called 999 and London’s Air Ambulance’s advanced trauma team was sent to the scene.

Nicky said: “I remember screaming in agony for a long time, the pain was off the scale, until London’s Air Ambulance’s Dr Gareth Grier said ‘Nicky, I’m doctor and I’m going to take all the pain away.’”

Nicky’s right leg was severely degloved - the skin was torn off - and she had broken her knee in two places.

The emergency department immediately worked on Nicky at the roadside, where they administered life-saving treatment for an hour and a half, including administering ketamine to place her in an induced coma.

She was then transported to St Mary’s Hospital for emergency surgery.

Nicky’s leg was in a critical condition and the first doctor who examined it reportedly said there was a 50 per cent chance she would lose it.

But after her second surgery, the outcome had become more positive, and it was less likely she would need an amputation.

Four surgeries later, Nicky was discharged, with her leg in plaster from thigh to toe due to the fractured knee.

Nicky’s degloved leg had to be repaireds by harvesting skin from her thigh.

Nicky said: “I had to go into hospital twice weekly to have both the original wounds and donor sites’ dressings changed, but that meant having the plaster taken off each time – it was a bit problematic.

“When I first came out of plaster, my knee couldn’t bend at all."

But she was determined to regain her mobility - and is fitter and more active than many who have never undergone such an ordeal.

She said: “I had to recover fully, not just for me, but for my husband and my friends and family.”

Nicky then decided she wanted to “give back” and fundraise for London’s Air Ambulance Charity.

And, after recovering, Nicky went skiing in December 2018 for the first time since the accident.

Nicky explained: “Starting on December 19, 2017, and finishing on the first anniversary of my accident, I swam 175 miles, and raised over £6,000.

“I was frightened of hurting myself, but I took my time and I learnt how to believe in myself again.

“I’m celebrating my life and the lives of all who have supported me.

“I wasn’t aware of London’s Air Ambulance Charity before, but now I obviously am.

“As soon as I was well enough, I wanted to do something for the organization, and so I volunteer in the shop at The Royal London Hospital.”


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