A man who fell 30ft through a roof has been reunited with one of the medical teams who came to his aid.
Kyle Ord, from Bishop Auckland, was fixing a skylight at an equestrian centre in Esh Winning when he fell to the ground on August 19 2021.
North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) arrived on scene to assess Kyle’s injuries.
Go here for the latest crime news and breaking North East police updates
He had sustained nine broken ribs, five fractures to his vertebrae, a fractured shoulder blade and collarbone, and a bruised and punctured lung.
The 24-year-old received pain relief and anti-sickness medication, as well as having a lung assessment with ultrasound.
His father Mark Ord was at work in Hartlepool when he got a phone call telling him his son was being airlifted to hospital.
He said: “My wife got a phone call telling her what had happened and she rang me and said the air ambulance was there.
“All we knew was that he had fallen through the roof and we later found out he was going to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. We were frantic driving there.”
Kyle stayed in hospital for six days and underwent surgery to fit a plate and screws in his collarbone.
Kyle said: “They told me I was millimetres from breaking my neck, so I was quite lucky.”
Despite the seriousness of Kyle’s injuries he continues to have a positive outlook on life.
He said: “I’m still recovering but I’ve always told myself that there’s always someone who is worse off than me.”
He hopes to return to work and recently reunited with the pilot, doctor and paramedic from GNAAS who came to his aid.
After meeting them he said: “GNAAS are fantastic, I owe them a hell of a lot. Without them, god knows what would have happened. I have spoken to my mum and dad and I’m going to do some charity work for them. I would physically do anything for them.”
GNAAS paramedic Ian Grey added: “It was nice to meet Kyle again under much better circumstances.
“When we attend incidents, we don’t always get to find out what happens to our patients once they’re at hospital, so it was great to see Kyle looking so well only a few months after his fall. We wish him all the best with his recovery.”
GNAAS is appealing for people to take part in the Great North Run 2022 on their behalf.
Places cost £59, and the charity are asking supporters to raise a minimum of £300.
To purchase a place for the Great North Run visit: https://gna.as/GNR2022
