Man crushed by forklift thanks his rescuers

An Aberdeen man who was crushed by a forklift has met the ambulance crew who came to his rescue, to thank them for their help in saving his life.

Matt Kinghorn met with Ambulance Technician Christopher Pettitt and Paramedic Team Leader Stuart Richardson at their base, Aberdeen Central Station, so they could offer his gratitude in person.
Matt, a forty-year-old father of two daughters, has also been raising money for the Scottish Ambulance Service through his poetry readings, and has donated over £800 to the Service’s endowment fund.
The accident happened in the morning of 3rd February, on Abbey Road, in Aberdeen, when Matt was trapped by a forklift. Chris and Stuart arrived on the scene, helping to keep Matt calm and assessing and then treating his injuries, as he was freed by the fire service.

Matt says: “I was so very lucky and glad that the Scottish Ambulance Service arrived on the scene to save me and safeguard my passage to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. I’m forever grateful to the guys for making the time to meet me. They were so very lovely and incredibly humble about saving me. It was a joy to chat and to learn that they love doing what they do and I will always be thankful for that. They are a couple of real life heroes that got me home to my girls. I will continue to think of them every day.”

Stuart says: “It was great to meet Matt in person as we don't often find out what happens to our patients. I think it was also very cathartic for him to meet us. We are very thankful for the funds he has raised, as well as the fantastic poem he presented us with.”

Matt has made a full recovery from the incident, and has been holding a poetry show, 9…9…Lines in venues around Aberdeen, as a way of showing his appreciation and raise money for the Service.

“I felt I had to do something to help in return. I decided to put on some live poetry shows in the city and shire to help raise funds for the people that helped me so, The NHS, The Fire Brigade and of course the Scottish Ambulance Service. After nine shows over nine days at 9am I have managed to raise £2359, which I’m splitting between the three services.”