A MOTORCYCLIST who had to be rescued from the flaming wreckage of a crash has backed a campaign to support the charity which helped save him.

Dick Allaker broke both of his legs and was left with a shattered pelvis, broken back, arm, ribs, nerve damage and internal injuries when his bike was in a collision with a car on the A167 at Thinford roundabout, near Spennymoor, County Durham, on August 12 last year.

The Northern Echo: THANKS: Paramedic Andy Mawson meets crash bike victim Dick Allaker and his fiancee Kathryn Moore.

Paramedic Andy Mawson meets crash bike victim Dick Allaker and his fiancee Kathryn Moore

Both vehicles burst into flames and the car driver and Mr Allaker were carried away from the burning wreckage to safety.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) flew the 53-year-old to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he arrived in a critical condition and was placed in an induced coma for two and a half weeks.

The welder, from Pittington, County Durham, has backed GNAAS’ National Air Ambulance Week campaign which starts today by encouraging others to donate £3 a month through a text giving service.

He said: “Without getting to hospital so quickly, I would not have survived. You never think it’s going to happen to you but I’ve been left feeling very humble from the experience.

“We couldn’t do without them. It’s a strange thing, but you don’t think you’re going to need them, until you do. And when they are there, they really are there.”

On the Injury Severity Scale, an established medical score, Mr Allaker was given a 57. Fifteen is what is normally classed as being a major trauma. The scale runs from one, minor, to 75, unsurvivable.

GNAAS paramedic Andy Mawson said: “A score like Dick’s would suggest that the patient is unlikely to survive. He is a very lucky man.”

In July, Mr Allaker met Mr Mawson and his fellow paramedic Mark Cotgrave who treated him at the scene.

“Without getting to hospital so quickly, I would not have survived,” he said. “I wanted to thank everyone for what they had done. It was absolutely amazing to be able to shake their hand.

“I’ve never had a crash where I’ve needed an ambulance in 40 years of biking, and then all of a sudden I’m relying on all of these people around to help me.”

National Air Ambulance Week runs every year. It aims to raise awareness and boost the fundraising efforts of UK air ambulances.

To support GNAAS, text SAVELIVES to 70660.

For more details on the work of the GNAAS, visit greatnorthairambulance.co.uk