Nine years after being airlifted to hospital, Darren Way, Manager at Yeovil Town Football Club, paid DSAA a visit.

On 18^th December 2008, Darren Way, current Manager at Yeovil Town Football Club, was involved in a serious road traffic incident which ended his midfield playing career. Darren was a passenger in a van driving along the outskirts of Yeovil, when a 4x4 crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided with the van that he was travelling in.

After being cut free by the Fire Service, Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance treated and airlifted Darren to the Intensive Care Unit at Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. The impact of the accident left him with serious injuries including a broken left femur, broken left kneecap, broken and dislocated right elbow and a broken and dislocated left hip. As a result, Darren was bed-bound for nearly eight months and after having several operations, had to learn how to walk again.

Almost nine years to the day of his incident, Darren paid us a visit to meet some of the crew and show his appreciation of their life-saving work. After enjoying a tour of the airbase, he was shown our AW169 helicopter and was told about the advancements it brings to the Charity’s operations, in comparison to the EC135 helicopter that airlifted him.

At the end of an emotional visit, Darren kindly donated signed items of Yeovil Town Football Club’s merchandise which he hoped would be auctioned to raise money for the Charity.

If you've been inspired by Darren's story and would like to help us to continue saving lives, we would be grateful to receive your donation. No matter how big or small, every penny donated really will make a big difference! Thank you.