Cardigan postman backs Save Our Helicopter campaign

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Cardigan postman backs Save Our Helicopter campaign after it saved his life

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Cardigan postman backs Save Our Helicopter campaign after it saved his life

By Carmarthen Journal | Posted: June 10, 2015

A CARDIGAN postman who was saved after a life-threatening collision has joined the campaign to Save Our Police Helicopter.

Gareth Davies, of Maesglas, suffered multiple injuries when his postal van, full of Christmas letters, collided with a 17 tonne lorry in December 1999.

But thanks to the police helicopter, which was over the West Wales coast as part of a training mission, he was airlifted to hospital in just 13 minutes.

He spent three weeks in the trauma ward, but recovered enough to be able to go back to work briefly.

The Journal reported at the time of the accident: "An air bag which inflates on impact saved the life of a Cardigan postman on Thursday, when the postal van he was driving was in collision with a 17 tonne lorry.

"Gareth Davies of Maesglas, Cardigan, suffered multiple injuries, and was airlifted to hospital.

"The incident occurred at 9am as 44-year-old Mr. Davies was travelling on the A478 Cardigan — Crymych road between Postgwyn and Blaenffos.

"His van was in collision with a Volvo box lorry carrying batteries, which was travelling towards Cardigan.

"He was airlifted in the Dyfed-Powys Police helicopter to Morriston Hospital Swansea, suffering from a broken femur and other leg fractures, a hairline fracture of the pelvis, and chest injuries. A member of the emergency services at the scene told the Journal, "If it had not been for the air bag then the postman would not have had a chance of surviving."

Now, Gareth and his wife Nicola are getting behind the campaign.

"The most important thing is that the helicopter stays nearby to serve rural Wales," says Mrs Davies.

"What will we have left here if that goes? How many lives will be lost?

"The ambulance and air ambulance do a good job, but when Gareth's accident happened, the air ambulance was at another call. People forget how important this is — but it is vital that we don't lose it."

***To sign our petition to save the helicopter click here http://www.carmarthenjournal.co.uk/Join ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;