Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Barnsley Collision

Yorkshire Air Ambulance’s Nostell-based Critical Care Team, consisting of Dr Dan Slane and Paramedic Sam Berridge, were dispatched to the scene, arriving by air within minutes. Landing a short walk from the crash site, they joined the local land ambulance crew who had arrived just minutes earlier and were beginning an initial assessment of his injuries.

Speaking en route, Paramedic Sam explained, “Motorcycle accidents can cause significant trauma. Even when the main injury looks obvious, like a broken leg, we always have to consider what else might be going on internally, as head, chest or spinal injuries can easily be masked by pain elsewhere.”

Greg was conscious and using gas and air to manage his pain as the team carried out a primary assessment. He had sustained a closed fracture to his femur, the strongest bone in the body, causing extreme pain and concern for potential internal bleeding or nerve damage.

With his pain escalating, the YAA team administered ketamine, a medication commonly used in emergency medicine for its fast-acting, dissociative properties, to provide stronger pain relief. Once the medication took effect, Greg’s leg was carefully straightened to realign the fracture and reduce pressure on surrounding blood vessels and nerves. The crew then applied a Kendrick traction splint, a specialist device that stabilises a broken femur by applying a controlled pulling force to keep the leg in its natural position.

Highlighting the importance of early leg realignment, Paramedic Sam said, “As the Air Ambulance, we carry a wider range of medications than a standard land ambulance, including ketamine, which works quickly to relieve pain and help patients relax. In Greg’s case, it allowed us to realign his leg safely and apply the traction splint. With a broken femur, the two bone ends can rub together, causing severe pain and sometimes damaging nearby nerves and blood vessels, so being able to straighten and stabilise the leg early makes a huge difference.”

Once stabilised, Greg was transferred to the awaiting land ambulance for the short journey to Barnsley Hospital. Despite his significant injuries, he stayed in good spirits, asking about the condition of his late father’s bike, which, to his relief, had survived the crash.

Sam added, “It always surprises us how, even in serious crashes, many bikers are more worried about their bike than themselves. Greg was clearly in a lot of pain, but he was still joking with us and asking if his dad’s bike was okay. He was lucky to have got away with the injuries he did, his positive attitude really stood out.”

Greg spent 11 days in hospital, where surgeons repaired his femur with a metal rod and plates. He is now recovering at home and undergoing physiotherapy to rebuild strength and mobility.

Speaking about the incident, Greg said: “The pain was the worst I’ve ever felt. I honestly thought I was dying at one point. A large piece of my femur had come away and was floating in my leg, so surgeons had to go through the side of my leg to retrieve it and pin everything back together. I’ve been told it could take a year before I walk normally again. Some days I can manage short distances, other days I can’t put my foot on the floor. But I’m staying positive and using my exercise bike every day to get my mobility back.”

Now lovingly restoring his late father’s first motorbike, Greg reflected, “It was my dad’s first bike, then my brother’s when he passed his test, and finally mine when I got my licence. After my dad passed away, it meant everything for me to ride it. I 100% plan to get back on it one day — just don’t tell my mum!”