SCAA crew in finals of two national awards for outstanding life-saving mission
SCAA is incredibly honoured to have been shortlisted for two national awards recognising the heroic life-saving actions of one of our crews.
Former SCAA pilot Captain Shaun Rose and paramedics John Pritchard and Rich Garside are finalists in the 999 services category at both the "Scotland's Champions" Awards (supported by the Daily Record) and the "Who Cares Wins" Awards (supported by The Sun) following one of the most challenging missions of their careers.
The life-saving trio will be represented at the Who Cares Wins star-studded televised award ceremony in London tomorrow (Tuesday) and a similar celebrity supported event in Glasgow for Scotland's Champions on Saturday.
The trio was on duty for SCAA's Perth-based Helimed 76 in February 2020 when they were called to a man suffering a heart attack in remote highland Perthshire.
Scotland's winter weather threw its worst at SCAA as it faced a race against time to airlift the critically ill cardiac patient to vital advanced hospital care within a tight life or death time frame.
Snow showers, poor visibility and the ever-present threat of icing challenged the pilot on what he described as "the most difficult flight of my life" while paramedics faced the immense task of repeatedly saving the life of their patient who died seven times in the helicopter during the epic journey.
Later that evening, the patient was sitting up in bed at hospital - having undergone timely cardiac surgery.
SCAA crew's outstanding teamwork, trust in each other, communication, expertise and camaraderie resulted in an amazing life-saving mission which stood out for the judges in both awards.
And when patient Duncan Stevenson from Biggar learned of the crew's commitment to saving him that day, he was effusive in his praise of the charity.
"One of the medical team at Ninewells Hospital told me how lucky I was to have been brought in by helicopter as I had arrested several times and needed to get to critical hospital care pretty quickly - a road ambulance in that weather with me constantly arresting would never have made it in time.
"I owe SCAA my life. I don't think I would have made it without them.When no one else can reach you - they hopefully can. I'm testament to that and their commitment to saving lives even in the most challenging circumstances."
SCAA crew members paramedic John Pritchard, former pilot Shaun Rose and paramedic Richard Garside.