Lucy's Story

Glasgow School of Art student Lucy was looking forward to a trip to the West Coast with friends. But as she travelled north on the A9 near Dalwhinnie, the car suddenly veered off the road and rolled before coming to rest on its side.

Two men in the front pulled themselves free of the wreckage but Lucy and a friend were trapped in the back of the two-door vehicle.

“My friend was squashed beneath me but we couldn’t move. I could feel my face was hurt, there was blood on my hands and my neck and back were really painful. I was frightened.”

Passers-by raced to help the students and emergency services were quickly on the scene, assessing injuries and stabilising the vehicle before cutting the girls free.

“I felt more calm when the firefighters and ambulance crew were there – the first I was aware of the helicopter air ambulance was when I was being loaded into it.”

The potential of serious neck and back injuries prompted the call to Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, who were on scene within 20 minutes. SCAA airlifted Lucy to hospital in Dundee – just 25 minutes by air but nearly two hours away by road.

Lucy was diagnosed with a fractured clavicle, serious whiplash injuries and two hand fractures. She is still undergoing physiotherapy and treatment for PTSD.

“SCAA is an amazing resource for Scotland. Everyone thought my injuries were worse than they turned out to be but if they had been critical, SCAA would have played a key role in saving my life. As it was, their speed, professionalism and care made a huge difference to what was a really traumatic experience.”

Lucy and her family were unaware of the charitable status of SCAA but when they found out they pledged to do something to help. Lucy’s mum Sarah works with PwC in their Edinburgh office. She managed to secure a £1,000 donation from her colleagues and their staff charity GAYE scheme.

“We’re so grateful to SCAA for being there when Lucy needed help. Their input made a huge difference and we’re happy to do what we can to ensure they keep flying for others in similar need.”

“The crew were lovely – they kept me talking and made terrible jokes while they monitored and cared for me during the flight”