Cornwall Fire & Rescue Service Newsdesk

N/A at 11/06/2003 16:42

On the 16th December 2002 Cornwall County Fire Brigade attended a road traffic collision in a village called Trewoon. The accident, involving two cars, required the firefighters to cut out one female victim, Jane Mitchell, who had suffered multiple injuries. Ms Mitchell was then rushed to Treliske Hospital by Air Ambulance.

“Ms Mitchell had appalling injuries to her jaw, chest and leg, and we did not think she could survive” said Station Officer Steve Halstead.

After spending two weeks in the Intensive Care Unit not knowing whether her leg was going to be amputated Jane was informed by medical staff that there was only one hope of saving it, a V.A.C. (vacuum assisted closure) therapy system.

Jane Mitchell explains: “The V.A.C. therapy system assists patients with limited undamaged skin, and the technique is known to be lifesaving. The therapy applies controlled pressure to the wound site to promote wound healing. It can also remove infectious materials and provides a closed wound healing environment”

She added: “Treliske Hospital had to hire the V.A.C. machine at the cost of £39.00 per day, because Cornwall only has one machine and it was being used by another patient. Now that I am out of hospital I am campaigning to raise money for another machine. I have already received donations from my local area but am only part way to raising the totStation Officer Steve Halstead adds: “Jane Mitchell is a very brave lady and the firefighters of St Austell fully support her campaign. We would be grateful for any other assistance in fundraising as this therapy system would be of great benefit to many more people in Cornwall like Jane, who have suffered horrific injuries”

If anyone would like to donate money towards the therapy system the registered account is with Lloyds TSB, Sort Code: 309728 Account Number: 2106653
al cost of £8,000”.