A FAMILY whose lives were devastated by a horrific road crash met Sir David Jason at a charity event designed to support the region's air ambulance.

Naomi Cassidy

A FAMILY whose lives were devastated by a horrific road crash met Sir David Jason at a charity event designed to support the region's air ambulance.

The Seymour family from Ipswich spent a day at the headquarters of the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAA) at Norwich airport where they met the Only Fools and Horses actor, who was visiting to support the charity's work.

Brian Seymour, 69, lost his wife, Christine, 58, and both his legs after a speeding motorcyclist crashed into them and their young grandchildren, Kieran and Ethan, as they were crossing London Road, Ipswich, on August 18, 2005.

The air ambulance service took Kieran, who was six at the time, to hospital as he was suffering serious leg injuries and it is thought the crew probably saved his life.

A spokeswoman for the EAA said: “The family had a brilliant time. They talked to David Jason and seemed to be the main focus of the day.

“The ambulance airlifted Kieran to hospital on the day of the accident and it is believed this is what saved his life.”

The EAA's first aircraft Anglia One, which serves Norfolk and Suffolk, recently became the first helicopter in the UK to be fitted with a new safety device called a power line detector after EDF Energy Networks donated £17,000.

After inspecting the device on Friday, Sir David then attended a reception with staff, clinicians and corporate supporters, as well as people whose lives have been changed by the air ambulance service.

Sir David said: “It's a real shame that the air ambulance has to rely on charity and donations. Thanks to EDF Energy it now has this piece of kit that cost £17,000 and will help keep the pilots safe.”