Ashley's Story

“I really believe I would have died if SCAA hadn’t been there that day.”

Ashley was left with a severe brain injury after being thrown from her horse in Cardenden in Fife. The incident resulted in the 26-year-old suffering a fractured skull and four blood clots to the brain.

Six and a half weeks post injury, Ashley was awoken from a coma. The recovery process and rehabilitation would take over a year. During this time, Ashley had to learn to walk, talk and eat independently again.

“It was a Sunday in September and my cousin and I decided to take our horses out to enjoy some jumps in the field,” Ashley reflects.

“My horse Blaze had been acting a bit off that day – some of the female horses in the field were in season and there were a few motorbikes in the distance.

“I think it was just too much for him and before I knew it, he hit the brakes before a jump causing me to lose my seating and cling onto his neck before he then broke into a full gallop.”

With each stride Ashley lost more grip. Her 15.2hh horse was galloping uncontrollably across the field until he reached the concrete surface and once again slammed to a halt.

“I don’t remember it now,” she says, “but my family and friends who were there said I dove headfirst into the ground.

“If I hadn’t been wearing my riding hat, I would have died instantly.”

One of Ashley’s friends present at the scene was an experienced nurse and knew immediately that the injury was serious. With blood coming from her ears, eyes fixed in place, and her hands ‘rotating and pushing to the side uncontrollably’, they knew urgent medical help was required as soon as possible.

Ashley’s friends and family were careful not to move her until help arrived. Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) soon landed close to the scene followed shortly thereafter by a land ambulance. SCAA paramedics worked alongside Scottish Ambulance Service colleagues and a doctor led team.

Before being airlifted to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, the patient was put into an induced coma by doctors and transferred carefully into the helicopter. SCAA crew were able to monitor Ashley’s condition throughout the short journey and get her the medical attention needed in the fastest possible time.

“When I arrived at hospital, the decision was made to medicate rather than operate,” she explains.

“I was therefore placed into a real coma, and my body had to be kept at a very low temperature to reduce the swelling on my brain. I was medically treated every hour, and I had lots of machines attached to me.

“I was in the coma for over six weeks and in that time I was told I nearly died at least twice.”

During this time, Ashley’s parents were left with the agonising wait. It was unclear if the damage to her brain would be permanent or if she would wake up at all.

Fortunately, Ashley did come out of her coma.

“I was very confused when I woke up,” she reflects.

“Suddenly the trees were bare, and it was winter. My mum tried to explain what happened, but I couldn’t comprehend it at the time.

“My entire left side was paralysed at first.”

But Ashley was determined to get her life back on track. Her recovery process took time but just over three months later, on Christmas eve, she was allowed to return home.

With twice weekly rehabilitation and physio help, she learned to walk again – which she admits was the hardest part of her recovery.

Getting back to horse riding was also a strong motivator for Ashley.

“I was told that because I was delivered to hospital within the first hour of injury my outcome was a positive one,” she states.

“It took me about a year to feel more normal again. I’m still not perfect and have some weaknesses, but I love my life now and I’m back on the horses again.

“I just got married and I always think if things hadn’t turned out the way they did there’s so much I wouldn’t have been able to experience…I’m so grateful for every day now.

“My family and I want to thank the SCAA crew who helped me that day – I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I do believe I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that quick journey in the air ambulance. They are my heroes.”