James Trenerry, 26, fractured both his arms as well as his spine, pelvis and shoulder in the collision on his motorbike in February 2020.
He spent a month in St George’s Hospital in London and underwent walking rehabilitation for several weeks. He also had to recover from vertigo and short-term memory problems.
His experience sealed his desire to apply for a job with the South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb).
James, from Langley Green, Crawley, opted to join the Trust’s NHS 111 service following more than a year of recovery in May 2021. He become a 999 call handler in October 2021 before beginning his current ambulance dispatcher role in September 2022.
The new role also meant he was able to meet the paramedics who helped him following the crash, which happened in Sidlow, Surrey, and thank them in person.
James was reunited with ambulance crew Zoe Pemble and Louise Thomas as well as critical care paramedic (CCP) Richard Brandon at Secamb’s Gatwick base on Monday.
James with the team (Image: South East Coast Ambulance Service)
“I had always been curious to find out who had treated me as I knew that I will have spoken to them as a dispatcher for the area,” said James.
“It was really nice to meet up with some of the team and thank them in person. I am so grateful for everything everyone involved did.”
James is currently learning to drive a car and hopes to rekindle his ambitions to join his colleagues out on the road in a frontline role in the years ahead after he recovers from his next planned surgery to remove metal plates and screws in his arms.
“It’s been a long journey and soon I’ll be back to where I was prior to the collision,” he said.
“It’s definitely my plan to apply for a position out on the road when the time is right.”
Richard said: “It was a pleasure to meet with James and learn about his recovery.
James has metal plates in his arm (Image: South East Coast Ambulance Service)
“On behalf of the whole team who attended it’s great to see him continuing to work towards his ultimate goal of joining us out on the road. We all wish him the very best for the future and his remaining surgery.”
A strong advocate for biker safety, James has also urged anyone who rides a motorbike to ensure they always wear appropriate protective clothing – something he is sure saved him from even more severe injuries.
“No one should be riding a motorbike without the right protective clothing,” he said.
“I was still seriously injured despite wearing good quality leathers and protection but I know the outcome for me could have been far worse if I wasn’t. I would urge all bikers to do everything they can to protect themselves.”
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