Man who nearly died in motorbike crash thanks crew who gave him 'second chance at life'

A motorcyclist who nearly died after crashing into a tree has thanked the ambulance crew who saved his life.

Gary Viljoen was driving with a friend in Dollar in April this year when the brakes on his motorcycle failed, causing him to crash at speed.

His friend called for an ambulance, and a team of Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics, advanced practitioners, and an Emergency Medical Retrieval Service (EMRS) team came to their aid.

The dad-of-two was airlifted to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where he spent two months in a coma.

After four months in hospital and with the help of physical therapy, he is now able to walk with crutches.

Gary’s wife, Julie Viljoen said: “The air ambulance got him to the QEUH Major Trauma Centre for life-saving surgery. We nearly lost him twice within a short period of arriving, so had the air ambulance not transported him, he may not have made it.

“I’ll be eternally grateful to the first responders. Not only did they save his life and ensure my two children have a daddy, but their careful work also ensured my husband will eventually walk and hold his kids again.”

Gary said: “I can’t thank the team enough for all they did on that day. It’s a day I’ll never forget for so many reasons, but I feel very thankful that I had the help of all of the medical teams that day, as well as the wonderful folks that stopped at the side of the road.

“The team kept my wife informed, kept me stable and has given me a second chance at life.”

Gary, Julie, and daughter Storm personally met and thanked Joel Symonds, advanced critical care practitioner; Arran Keir, consultant anaesthetist; and Julie Cathcart, advanced retrieval rractitioner at SAS’ ScotSTAR base, which is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team of paramedics, nurses, advanced practitioners, and doctors, supported by pilots, who work together to provide life-saving care to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable patients.