A Community First Responder (CFR) with
South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb), experienced life on
the other side of the coin when he suffered major injuries in a
motorcycle accident in September last year.

Scott Montgomery, from Sittingbourne, enjoyed the chance to
thank the ambulance crews who helped save his life when he was
reunited with them at SECAmb’s Make Ready Centre in Paddock Wood
last week, (Friday 19 February).

It was on the outskirts of Paddock Wood that Scott was injured
while out enjoying a late summer’s afternoon ride with some
friends. He was in collision with a van that destroyed his bike and
put him in Tunbridge Wells Hospital at Pembury for two weeks.

Scott was fortunate that the accident happened right outside the
Ambulance Community Response Post on the road into the village and
equally lucky that, on this occasion, a crew were at the post
taking a well-earned lunch break.

“We were having our break when we heard the bang outside and
rushed out to help,” said Paramedic Jenna Wyatt.

Jenna found Scott under the van with serious injuries to his
chest and arm. Jenna and her crewmates Associate Practitioner Barry
Simmons and Student Paramedic Nathan Whalley called in the incident
to control and immediately began treatment supporting Scott’s
neck.

“They did a fantastic job,” said Scott, “As soon as it happened
I knew I had been badly hurt but Jenna did a tremendous job
cannulating me while I was still almost under the vehicle.”

Support quickly arrived from Clinical Team Leader and Paramedic
Des Lacey, who had been on the way to the post for his lunch break.
Emergency Operations Centre paramedic Josh Smith also stopped on
his way to work at Coxheath to give assistance.

Between them they safely removed Scott from under the van and
transported him to Tunbridge Wells Hospital in Pembury.

“It was a good thing there were a few of them there as I am a
big guy so lifting me out must have been difficult,” said Scott.
“But I always felt I was in good hands and the treatment I got that
day ensured I have made the recovery that I have.”

Scott still needs physio after suffering a broken collarbone
that needed to be pinned, several broken ribs, a punctured lung,
lacerated kidney and arm damage on his left side.

The accident has put on hold his ambitions of joining SECAmb as
an Emergency Care Support Worker but he is hoping a full recovery
will mean he joins the Trust full time in the future.

Scott has also had to suspend his eight-year career responding
as a CFR until he has recovered. The 42-year-old is a senior CFR
Team Leader in the Medway area where he also helps train the three
CFR groups he is associated with.

“It was an interesting experience being on the receiving end of
treatment, but not one I am anxious to repeat,” he said. “It was a
big shock and very painful experience but the treatment I got from
the ambulance service and at Pembury was first class. I could not
fault it at all and am so grateful to them all.”

Jenna, a paramedic with SECAmb for three years, said: “It was
lovely seeing Scott and how well he has recovered. We don’t often
get the chance to see the outcome from patients that we have
treated and it is always good to get feedback from them from their
viewpoint.”

Des added: “Scott was in good hands with Jenna who ran the
incident and it was also part of a steep learning curve for Nathan
as a first year student who was third-manning with the crew.”

The accident has not put Scott off motorcycling. It was his
first accident in 23 years and he is an advanced rider who has
travelled all over Europe on his bike.

“I am not allowed to ride yet while I am recovering,” he said,
“but I love riding and will try to get back to it as soon as I am
able.”