Features

Starting on Monday 3 September James Hazell, BBC Radio Suffolk's mid-morning presenter, along with the team from CSV Suffolk Action will be highlighting stories from people who have found themselves in an accident and what has happened to them as a result of their injuries.

Have you ever been in an accident or medical emergency or have you seen an accident or medical emergency and wished you had been able to help?

We would like to hear your stories.

Have you ever thought about learning some basic first aid skills? You could make a difference in an emergency.

British Red Cross leaflet

If you would like to know more about first aid courses available in Suffolk and also receive a small credit card size card which shows some very practical tips that can be used in an emergency please call CSV Suffolk Action on 01473 340 740.

James Hazell broadcasts Monday-Friday from 9am until midday.

Michael's story

In April 2007 Michael Ruffles was on his way home from work on his motorbike.

He had been following a line of slow moving traffic for a while and eventually thought he could overtake a van. As he pulled out from behind the van the car in front of it slammed on the brakes - he felt his option was to crash into the back of the car or try to get past it.

Whilst attempting to overtake the car, Michael caught an arm on a lorry passing on the other side of the road. One of his arms was torn off and he also suffered other serious injuries.

First aid was performed on the scene and Michael was taken to hospital by an air ambulance. Michael says without this aid he wouldn't be alive to tell his story:

Michael was in hospital for seven weeks. As of September 2007, he's yet to return to his job as a 360 digger, as the role requires using two joysticks to operate.

However, his employers are looking at having one modified for him. And he's received some encouraging advice from his family:

Tony's Story

Tony Ransome owes his life to the East Anglian Air Ambulance

Just over a year ago, he was doing some painting on the outside of Ipswich’s Wolsey Theatre.

He was on scaffolding twenty foot off the ground, decorating some air ducts.

He stretched to paint, couldn’t quite reach, and his last memory is of toppling over backwards.

James Hazell caught up with him last week, to get the rest of the story …