Flying home for Christmas... injured Tom gets lift home with air ambulance
A teenager who was left paralysed from the neck down after a car crash enjoyed Christmas with his family after being flown closer to home.
Tom Bailey, 18, had been receiving treatment at the Midland Centre for Spinal Injuries, based at Oswestry's orthopaedic hospital after the crash on October 29.
He suffered a spinal cord injury that left him virtually paralysed from the neck down, with only minimal movement in his right arm. But he was able to enjoy Christmas closer to home after the Midlands Air Ambulance turned up to give him a ride.
Tom grew up in Merry Hill, Wolverhampton, but his family moved to Southampton in August after his father Ed, a teacher, got a new job.
The family approached the hospital to find out if there was any way of him getting the ongoing care he will need closer to their new home.
That led to Tom being allocated a place at the Duke of Cornwall Spinal Treatment Centre at Salisbury District Hospital – and staff at Oswestry then contacted the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity to book in the flight to get him there.
Rebecca Warren, ward manager on MCSI, said: "Tom's parents spoke to us and said they wanted to find a way of getting him closer to home and we were delighted to help.
"It's great that we have managed to do this in time for Christmas as it is definitely a time when families should be together. We're grateful to the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity for making this possible.
"I hope that Tom continues to make progress with his rehabilitation."
Tom said: "I will miss my friends in Wolverhampton but it will be good to be closer to my family. They have been great since the accident and my dad has been here for me 24/7, so I especially want to thank him for what he's done. Everyone at Oswestry has been great with me and I am very grateful."
Julian Spiers, aircrew supervisor for Midlands Air Ambulance, said: "A small proportion of the flights we undertake are hospital transfers. Tom is a remarkable young man and everyone at Midlands Air Ambulance wishes him and his family and friends the very best this Christmas."
