A DRIVER critically injured in a crash two years ago has met the Hereford doctor who helped save his life.

Dr Malcolm Russell had not seen Rob Young since the casualty was lying in intensive care at Selly Oak Hospital after suffering severe head and chest injuries following the Hallowe’en night smash near Droitwich.

Dr Russell, a member of the Mercia Accident Rescue Service (MARS), was one of the first on the scene and gave general anaesthetic to Rob, a teacher at Walkwood Middle School in Redditch, before flying with him in a police helicopter to hospital.

Thankfully, he pulled through and has since re-launched his teaching career, not to mention his life “It’s wonderful to see him. I personally think Malcolm saved my life that night,” said Rob, who is 31. “I can’t say enough to thank him and MARS for what they did.”

The pair were reunited during a Surviving Adventure course run by Prometheus Medical, based near Hope-under-Dinmore, which gives people the confidence to manage an emergency medical situation when travelling off the beaten track.

“When I arrived at the crash scene, Rob wasn’t breathing properly, had a hole in his chest cavity and was unconscious but showing signs of life,” said Dr Russell.

“We needed to take over his breathing for him, so I provided a general anaethetic which is not easy at the roadside.

“Had we not intervened, Rob would have spent longer in a low oxygen state which could have caused brain damage.”

He remained at Selly Oak for the best part of two months, before undergoing a series of rehabilitation work.

“Now, physically I’m very good, but I sometimes find it difficult to deal with things if they aren’t going well,” said Rob.

Dr Russell said many people think MARS doctors are part of the ambulance service but they are a charity whose volunteers respond day and night following the go-ahead from ambulance control.

Since the crash, Rob has raised money for MARS through various fundraising activities near his Worcester home.

It was also his idea to take part in the Surviving Adventure course.

“Before coming here, if someone was in an accident I wouldn’t have had the first idea on what to do. “This course has made me a lot more confident.”

Dr Russell, who is also managing director of Prometheus Medical, said the Surviving Adventure course taught people to overcome unusual occurences, such as landmine injuries, as well as teaching accident prevention.