A former patient who was left paralysed from the waist down following a life-threatening road traffic collision is preparing to ascend Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in his mountain trike wheelchair.
On New Year’s Day 2021, Dale Muffett’s life changed forever.
‘Seconds from dying’
While out for a morning jog in his hometown of Portsmouth, Dale, 33, was struck by a car travelling at high speed. The devastating crash left Dale with life-threatening injuries: internal bleeding, a collapsed lung, a traumatic brain injury and severe spinal damage.
Due to the serious nature of his injuries, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance Critical Care Team were deployed by car. We ventilated Dale, performed a life-saving surgical procedure on his chest and gave him a blood transfusion at the scene.
Dale and his wife Rachael meeting members of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance team
Today, Dale is paralysed from the waist down. But since his accident he has gone on to get married and completed multiple wheelchair marathons – including the London and Brighton Marathon, where he became the first person to finish in a racing chair.
Now, he’s taking on his biggest challenge yet: climbing Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon), the highest peak in Wales.
On Sunday 29 June, Dale will ascend the 9-mile Llanberis Path using his specially adapted mountain trike.
“It’s going to be a special trip,” Dale said.
“I climbed Snowdon about eight years ago, so to return now in my trike will be emotional.”
Dale recently completed a training climb in preparation for Snowdon
Operation Airbase
Dale’s challenge is helping to raise vital funds for our Operation Airbase appeal – a £3.6 million appeal to relocate our Airbase to a new, purpose-built facility near Southampton Airport.
This move will ensure we’re giving patients across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight the best chance of survival and recovery – just like we did for Dale.
“Were it not for the skills and knowledge of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance team, I either wouldn’t be here today or would be living with a much worse brain injury.
“No one knows who is going to end up needing the Air Ambulance – today, tomorrow, or the next day,” Dale said.
“It could be any one of us. I owe my life to them.”
Support Dale’s inspirational climb and help us continue our life-saving work.
