Christine Lloyd had made the short journey to North Wales from her home just across the border in Chester when the crash happened
Christine Lloyd had made the short journey to North Wales from her home just across the border in Chester when the crash happened
A woman who was visiting Wales was left fighting for her life after the car she was travelling in was hit by a tractor. Christine Lloyd had made the short journey to North Wales from her home just across the border in Chester.
But on the way, a tractor struck the vehicle, with the passenger side bearing the brunt of the force of the crash, leaving Christine trapped inside for more than an hour. The crash, which happened in August 2017, left Christine in a critical condition and requiring urgent assistance from the Wales Air Ambulance.
The charity’s medical team provided pre-hospital treatment at the roadside before airlifting Christine to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital in Stoke. Christine suffered life-threatening injuries including a significant internal haemorrhage and bleeding on the brain, reports North Wales Live.
She also suffered an open fracture to her right arm, three fractured ribs, and multiple breaks to her spine. The severity of her injuries led to several operations and a lengthy rehabilitation period.
Christine, 39, said: “My doctors didn’t know if I would ever walk again so they decided to operate on my spine. I underwent a further six-hour surgery to rebuild my spine. Surgeons worked tirelessly to build a metal frame around my spine, with the hope of being able to walk again.”
She has now taken on the challenge of completing the Chester Half Marathon to express her gratitude to the Wales Air Ambulance. Christine said: “Part of me thinks I must be mad, but I’m honestly honoured to be attempting to run the Chester Half Marathon for the Wales Air Ambulance.
“I’ve chosen to do it this year to help mark the charity’s 25th anniversary year! Let’s do it in style.”
Living with daily chronic pain, Christine will nevertheless test her physical boundaries by tackling the half marathon for a cause close to her heart.
She said: “I live in constant, chronic pain. Every day is difficult, my level of pain is not for the faint hearted. However, I remain determined to carry on as usual. I’m doing well.
“My spinal fusion is holding up well. I put a lot of this down to the expert surgery I had. My way of thinking is I’m always in pain so I may as well try and make this pain count.
“Pain is my constant companion, but I’ve trained myself and my mind to accept it, using it as additional fuel and channel it into good. This will be an extension of that training. We can put it to the test on the day.”
Christine’s preparation continues positively, though a shin splint caused a three-week delay. Her triplet brother Edward has been supporting her training regime.
She said: “I remain focused on doing my training as safely and as well as possible. Edward and I recently managed our first 10-mile milestone run together. I’ll never forget achieving that! Ed ran three marathons last year. Seeing him run those inspired this entire goal.” At present, Christine is training three times a week. Once a week she runs 10 miles with Edward and twice a week she runs four miles with her dog Penny.
Christine said: “I’m extremely nervous about the half marathon but my own determination and excitement to make this once in a lifetime goal a reality outweighs my nerves. Just like my own recovery, I trust the path ahead.”
Wales Air Ambulance operates with consultant-led care, bringing hospital-quality treatment directly to patients and, when necessary, transporting them straight to the most suitable medical facility for their condition or injuries. The service functions through a distinctive partnership between the third sector and public sector. The Wales Air Ambulance Charity depends on charitable contributions to secure the £13m needed annually to maintain helicopter operations and keep rapid response vehicles operational.
The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS) provides highly trained NHS consultants and critical care specialists who operate aboard the charity’s vehicles.
This advanced critical care encompasses the capability to perform anaesthesia, provide blood transfusions and carry out minor surgical procedures, all at the incident location.
Operating across Wales, its committed crews, irrespective of their base location, will travel throughout the nation to provide emergency life-saving treatment.
Christine remains deeply committed to the Wales Air Ambulance, having supported the charity through numerous fundraising initiatives following her accident. The organisation has responded to more than 26,000 emergency calls since Christine’s life-changing incident.
Christine added: “Without the Wales Air Ambulance I would not have survived the car accident, and I can’t put into words how highly I think of them all. Over the years we’ve achieved many successes together. This run will be a celebration of the incredible work the charity continues to do, and it will also be a nod to my own strength across these past years. It will be a celebration of making it out the other side of some incredibly tough days.
“I want my run to be a reminder of what’s possible after receiving such crucial, swift care from my pilot and team that day. I owe the Wales Air Ambulance everything. We share a deep personal bond! I remain a living testimony to the incredible, world class care they provide.”
Debra Sima, Wales Air Ambulance’s regional fundraising manager for the region, said: “To hear that Christine will be taking on the half marathon after everything that she has been through is incredible. It is remarkable that after being told she might not walk again she is running a half marathon. It is so humbling that despite the pain she still faces daily she is determined to raise funds for our charity. Christine’s passion for the charity is evident with her continued support of the Wales Air Ambulance.
“Christine knows firsthand how important our service is and I hope people will get behind Christine and help her reach her fundraising target. She has already raised over £500 of her £1,500 target, which is amazing.
“Thank you Christine, we really do appreciate your continued support, and it is remarkable that you will be taking on this huge challenge. You’re a true inspiration.”
The Chester Half Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, May 17. Christine has set up a fundraising page in aid of the challenge.
