By Richard SmithA KEEN horse rider has raised almost £5,000 to thank the East Anglian Air Ambulance for its swift response after she was seriously injured in a road crash.

By Richard Smith

A KEEN horse rider has raised almost £5,000 to thank the East Anglian Air Ambulance for its swift response after she was seriously injured in a road crash.

Clare Martin said the only reason she still has her right hand is thanks to the helicopter crew, who arrived on the scene so quickly and flew her to a specialist unit within 15 minutes.

She has now raised £4,700 through two horse shows and the auction of a week's stay at her holiday home on the Isle of Mull.

Mrs Martin, from Bentley, near Ipswich, is confident her fundraising will top £5,000, which will help to keep the Anglia One helicopter flying.

The accident happened as Mrs Martin drove on the A14 towards Ipswich and a tyre on her car blew out near Stowmarket. She struggled to keep control of the car, but the vehicle flipped onto its side and rolled over.

Mrs Martin's arm was caught through the car window and she suffered serious arm and hand injuries. A doctor arrived and she was told she required plastic surgery at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

The air ambulance arrived to take her there and Mrs Martin recalled: "I was conscious throughout and it was a bit scary being put into the helicopter while the rotor blades were still going so that it could take off straight away.

"But I was so glad it meant I was going to be treated quickly and that by air Norwich was just 15 minutes away. Getting there that quickly saved my hand. The crew was really quick and they were very good at explaining things."

Mrs Martin spent two weeks in hospital after the accident and she has returned there on several occasions for more treatment. She may require another operation next year, but was grateful she can still ride horses.

richard.smith@eadt.co.uk