Steve Withington’s life changed forever after a serious collision while out riding his motorbike near the A41 in Shropshire.

​

Steve, a 60-year-old MOT tester from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, was a seasoned motorcyclist who loved going on rides with friends. On Saturday 16th December 2023, they set out for a leisurely ride, aiming to stop for coffee at the Tickled Trout. The café was full when they arrived, so the group continued riding.

​

One friend’s bike started showing a warning light, so the group kept a steady pace along the A41. Cars overtook them as they rode cautiously. Suddenly, a car ahead performed a U-turn directly into Steve’s path.

​

“I had no time to avoid it,” Steve recalls. “The car hit my left side and I was thrown into a telegraph pole. The next thing I remember is looking up and seeing a woman standing over me.”

​

A medical professional who witnessed the incident immediately stepped in to help. 999 was called at 12:57pm and, shortly after, an armed police unit with a paramedic on-board arrived. They made Steve comfortable with an emergency blanket and pain relief.

​

One of Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s helicopters was rapidly dispatched with critical care paramedic Stephen Mason and Dr Michael Bright on-board.

​

Stephen Mason explains: "When we arrived on scene, Steve was conscious and able to recall the incident. During our assessment we identified Steve was a polytrauma patient meaning he had suffered multiple traumatic injuries."

​

Steve had fractured his left wrist (radius), left arm (ulna), left femur (thigh) right lower leg (fibula) and right ankle bones. The crew also believed that due to the pain Steve was describing that he had also suffered further internal injuries including a fractured pelvis (hip).

Stephen Mason further explains: "In order to stabilise Steve, we had to do a number of hospital-level interventions at the scene. We administered advanced analgesia including Fentanyl, Ketamine and Paracetamol intravenously to help control Steve's pain.

"The Ketamine enabled us to manipulate his fractures back into alignment before placing vacuum splints onto his limbs and a pelvic binder to his abdomen to prevent further injuries and to keep Steve stable during flight."

​

Steve was airlifted to Royal Stoke University Hospital, where a trauma team met him on the helipad. Steve underwent a 14-hour surgery to repair his leg but experienced complications. He had also suffered liver damage and two pulmonary embolisms.

​

He was in hospital for five weeks and after being discharged, Steve spent a further two weeks in rehabilitation before returning home.

​

Before the incident, Steve lived an active life with his partner Claire, enjoying adventures in their camper van. Now, his mobility is limited, and he attends weekly hydrotherapy sessions to aid his recovery.

“We’ve had to make changes,” Steve says. “Luckily we had already moved to a bungalow before the incident.”

​

Despite the challenges, Steve and Claire are set to marry in March.

​

Steve said: “I was aware of the charity and had previously attended bike events. But I have a new perspective now. Every time I see a helicopter, I think about the patients on-board and what they might be going through.

​

“I feel so lucky to have had the care I did from the air ambulance,” Steve shares. “Their work is incredible and something we should never take for granted.”