Amputee thanks two volunteer doctors who saved his life after Northamptonshire motorbike crash

Pete Crane, from Long Buckby, was involved in a serious car crash one night in May 2013 at which he was treated by Dr John Trenfield and Dr Matthew Wyse, both of whom are long standing volunteers with East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS).

The crash happened on the A428 near Harlestone when Pete was knocked off his bike, receiving very serious injuries that ultimately resulted in him having to have one leg amputated.

Although paramedics got to him quickly, it was the expertise of Dr Trenfield and Dr Wyse, who was returning home from a shift at Northampton General Hospital that made the difference.

He said: “The doctors were able to give me ketamine and apply a military-style tourniquet that basically stopped me from bleeding to death.

“As far as I’m concerned, they saved my life.”

Mr Crane spent a total of seven months in hospital and rehabilitation, having suffered kidney failure and a collapsed lung.

However he is now almost back to full health and has taken up motorcycling again despite the loss of his left leg – using a sidecar for balance.

Mr Crane recently celebrated his 50th birthday and at his celebration party he made a collection amongst family and friends, for EMICS, which was handed personally to Dr Trenfield yesterday.

Mr Crane said: “What can you say to someone who has saved your life?

“I just thanked him, especially for the fact he did it in his own time, unpaid, despite how hard he works at the hospital.

“I hope people reading this will consider donating to EMICS because I’m proof of what a superb job they do.”

EMICS Doctors are all volunteers who are fully trained in trauma work and respond to calls to attend serious emergencies in support of staff from the East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS).

They are equipped with a wide range of specialist equipment to perform life-saving interventions at the scene of an incident such as industrial or road traffic accident or rail crash. This equipment is funded by EMICS and can range from a defibrillator costing £2,000 to protective boots costing £80.

Although all the doctors work for EMICS on a totally voluntary basis, the scheme, which is a registered charity, needs to continually raise funds to maintain existing equipment and buy new specialist equipment to enable more doctors to be recruited.

EMICS receives no financial support from any Government source.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the team and the work of EMICS can do so by telephoning the Treasurer on 07909 547 156 or by visiting www.emics.org.uk where there is a form to complete for sending Gift aided Donations. You can follow EMICS on Facebook at ‘999emics’ or on Twitter at @emics999

Dr John Trenfield is a consultant in emergency medicine at Northampton General Hospital and Dr Matthew Wyse is Clinical Lead in the Major Trauma Centre at the University Hospital Coventry and Warwick.

They worked at the scene of the accident in support of paramedics from the East Midlands Ambulance Service and Dr Wyse accompanied the patient to hospital in the ambulance.

Mr Crane also recorded his appreciation of the care given to him at UHCW CCU and Ward 53 and then the Royal Leamington Spa rehabilitation Hospital.