A FORMER Redditch teacher who was involved in an accident that nearly claimed his life, has praised the charity that saved his life.

Ten years ago, middle school teacher Robert Young was driving home to Worcester from his work in Redditch when he was involved in a crash.

His car collided with a large four-wheel-drive vehicle near Droitwich leaving him unconscious and with life-threatening injuries.

One of the first people on the scene was Dr Malcolm Russell, a volunteer with Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS), who had been called by ambulance staff to help with this complex case.

As the closest immediate care doctor to the location, Dr Russell found Mr Young with critical injuries including a severe head injury, a hole in his chest, a punctured lung and a broken pelvis.

Dr Russell took steps to assist his breathing, as a low oxygen state could have caused brain damage, before he was flown by helicopter to Selly Oak Hospital for further treatment.

Mr Young, then aged 28, was placed in an induced coma for several weeks and eventually made a full physical recovery. Although the head injury has resulted in some lasting effects.

However Mr Young is convinced he would not be alive today if it had not been for Dr Russell’s prompt actions. The pair met again at a Surviving Adventure course run by Prometheus Medical two years after the accident.

Mr Young said: "Without the existence of MARS and expertise of Dr Malcolm Russell I would not be alive today, and still wake up each morning feeling incredibly grateful. I still speak with the charity on a regular basis to express my gratitude and both my family and I do all we can to support it in its fundraising efforts."

Andrew Thurgood, clinical director of MARS, added: "MARS offers support to the ambulance service and occasionally the air ambulance with ground-based advanced pre-hospital care and can often be the first advanced asset to arrive at a seriously injured or ill patient."

"All MARS immediate care practitioners use their own vehicles to get to the scenes of these medical emergencies and, over the many years I have worked with the charity, I have seen some amazing acts of kindness and pure commitment to supporting the community. All the more remarkable as these clinicians are already extremely busy with their day jobs."

MARS was set up in 1983 and started in the Wyre Forest as one of the earliest voluntary immediate care schemes for doctors. It aimed to relieve pressure on paramedics dealing with complex patient management.

For more information visit marsbasics.org.uk.