A West Country dad escaped death after a devastating motorbike collision with a pothole. Alex’s life-threatening encounter inspired the creation of the Devon Festival of Heroes, a superhero-themed family fun day, dedicated to expressing gratitude to the emergency services that saved his life. Scheduled for Sunday, May 18, the event will be held at the CCA Fields in Cullompton.
The festival, organized by Louise McRandal, aims to raise funds for the Devon Air Ambulance (DAA). This comes a year after her husband’s critical injury in a near-fatal accident while commuting home from Dunkeswell to Broadhembury in Devon.
Alex was only traveling at 23mph when he hit the pothole. His wife Louise was preparing lasagne when she received the unexpected news of the accident. Rushing to the scene with their children, they found Alex in excruciating pain. The air ambulance team sedated him on-site and airlifted him to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Diagnosed with numerous severe injuries, including a fractured collarbone, shoulder blade, ten broken ribs, a collapsed lung, and three blood clots, Alex was in a coma for five weeks. After a month in the ICU, Louise and the children were advised to return to the hospital as his condition worsened.
Alex’s condition began to improve, and he was eventually transferred to a neuro ward. Louise became his full-time carer, dedicating herself to his recovery.
The upcoming fun day promises a range of activities including fairground rides, animal encounters, dog shows, musical performances, historic displays, food choices, and a children’s baking contest.
Louise’s hope is that the Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) may perform a fly-by at the event as a symbol of their life-saving service.