Teenager injured in Findon crash to feature on TV

A teenager critically injured in a motorbike accident on the A24 at Findon Valley is to be featured on Channel 4’s 24 Hours in A&E tonight (October 27).
kent surrey and sussex air ambulance stock picture ENGSUS00120131208123613kent surrey and sussex air ambulance stock picture ENGSUS00120131208123613
kent surrey and sussex air ambulance stock picture ENGSUS00120131208123613

The documentary series continues from St George’s Hospital where it follows patients treated in a 24-hour period.

Filmed around the clock by 104 cameras at one of the world’s busiest A&E departments, the series captures stories of life, love and loss unfolding every day.

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Tonight’s episode tells the story of 19-year-old labourer Sam who suffered multiple injuries when he was involved in a collision with a bus and thrown under a car.

Sam had to be given an emergency blood transfusion at the roadside by Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance’s doctor and paramedic.

He was then flown by the charity helicopter to St George’s Hospital in London and 24 Hours in A&E shows him arriving in resus at the Major Trauma Centre after being placed in an induced coma and classed as “Code Red”.

St George’s consultant Will said: “Code Red is basically somebody critically injured. The assumption we make is that person is bleeding to death. Time is absolutely vital.”

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CT scans revealed that Sam had bruising to his lungs, a ruptured kidney, a broken thigh bone and a fractured spine.

The emergency department’s priority was to stop his internal bleeding as his parents were rushed to the hospital by police following the collision in June.

Tracey, Sam’s mother, said: “One of the police officers confirmed over the radio that they had the next of kin on board and that he was switching off his radio.

“I was thinking, ‘What don’t they want us to hear? Don’t you die before I get there’. I didn’t want him to die alone.”

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When they arrived at St George’s, Will updated them on Sam’s condition.

He added: “It’s a natural, human need to want to offer hope. But I don’t think you should ever try and hide anything to soften the blow, I don’t think that’s fair.”

24 Hours in A&E is on Channel 4, on October 27, at 9pm. If you would like to find out more about the Air Ambulance or make a donation, please visit www.kssairambulance.org.uk

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