Couple relive A1 crash horror for TV documentary as they thank 'fantastic' air ambulance crew

A couple who suffered serious injuries after a head-on collision on the A1 will feature on a national television documentary.
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On Sunday, January 19, a serious crash in Northumberland will feature on Emergency Helicopter Medics at 9pm on More4.

The collision happened on August, 30 in 2018, when John Stark, 65, and his wife Marjory were heading southbound near Wooler, Northumberland, and a van drifted into their carriageway and crashed into their car.

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The couple were driving to a wedding in Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, from their home in Glenrothes, Scotland.

The couple have praised the GNAAS.
Photo: GNAASThe couple have praised the GNAAS.
Photo: GNAAS
The couple have praised the GNAAS. Photo: GNAAS

Marjory suffered a broken foot as a result but was able to get herself out of the vehicle. Unfortunately, her husband was trapped inside for more than an hour while fire fighters worked to cut the roof off the car.

The critical care team from the Great North Air Ambulance Service flew to the scene and John was given pain relief as he suffered a double fracture to his right femur and three fractures to his pelvis.

He said: “I remember Mike Davison, the GNAAS doctor, going to give me ketamine to get me out of the car. When they got me out of the car I remember being out on the road, getting more ketamine to straighten my leg and then being taken to the air ambulance.”

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John was airlifted to the RVI in Newcastle where he underwent an eight-hour operation to put a pin in his leg. After two weeks at the RVI, he was transferred to the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy where he stayed for six days.

The couple were seriously injured as a result.The couple were seriously injured as a result.
The couple were seriously injured as a result.

The couple have since visited the GNAAS base at Teesside International Airport where they met pilot Keith Armatage who flew him to the RVI on that day.

At the base, John said: “It’s been brilliant coming here today, meeting Keith and the rest of the crew, we’re so grateful for them, they did a fantastic job at the roadside, and kept me relatively pain free.

“I think Marjory and I could never thank them enough for what they did.

“I’d like to thank the pilots, paramedics, doctors, the ground crew, volunteers and fundraisers for keeping this superb operation in the air. I’m just so grateful.”