A REFUSE worker blinded after a bin lorry reversed into him, is raising money for the air ambulance which helped save his life.

Andrew Sedman, from Norton, near Malton, North Yorkshire, suffered multiple life-threatening injuries last November when he a wagon he was working on backed into him.

The 54-year-old fell under the wagon, miraculously escaping being crushed under its wheels. But the impact punctured both of Andrew’s lungs, caved in the right side of his chest breaking ribs, a collar bone and shoulder blade as well as damaging his liver and spleen.

Mr Sedman lost so much blood, the lack of oxygen to his optic nerves has left him permanently blind in both eyes.

“I work in recycling doing different jobs and that day I was on the bins in Malton,” said Ryedale District Council worker Andrew from Parliament Street.

“I don’t really remember much about the accident, but I was at the rear of the wagon when the driver reversed into me and I fell underneath. The next thing I remember was a week-and-a-half later in hospital.”

Mr Sedman was flown in minutes by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance to the specialist trauma centre at James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

He added. “I had life threatening injuries and I’m pretty sure I would not have made it if I had gone by road ambulance.”

To thank the rapid response emergency charity Mr Sedman, his two daughters, and other family and friends are planning a five-mile sponsored walk next month in Dalby Forest.

The keen squash player, added: “The accident has just completely changed my life. I’m lucky that one of my daughters lives at home with me and I’m coping the best I can but it’s hard.

“I try not to think about all that I have lost with my sight. I’m doing as much as I can for myself and am on the waiting list for a guide dog which will help.”

Mr Sedman, who has ten metal plates holding the right side of his chest together, spent nearly five weeks at James Cook, before being transferred to York District Hospital.

His devastated daughters Suzanne, 24, and 22-year-old Erica are also coming to terms with the accident.

Suzanne, from Hawthorn Avenue, Malton, said: “It was a huge shock for us all. Dad has been amazing, but it’s so hard.

“I watch all the TV medical programmes, including Helicopter Heroes about the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, but I never thought that one day we would need their services.

“If they had not been there then my dad would not have made it to hospital alive where the amazing doctors and nursing staff have done so much.”

The YAA needs to raise £12,000 each day to keep its two helicopters in the air.

To sponsor Mr Sedman’s walk go to; www.justgiving.com/Suzanne-Sedman/