A biker who survived a 60mph crash has been reunited with the paramedic who helped save his life.

Father-of-two Nigel Quick, 54, from Tenterden, was returning home when he was in collision with a car on the A265 near Heathfield.

He suffered a traumatic head injury and had to be given emergency treatment at the road side by the Kent air ambulance’s doctor and paramedics before being flown to a specialist London hospital.

Mr Quick has made an almost full recovery and met paramedic Karen Clarke for the first time since the accident in April.

He said: “I don’t remember a lot about that day. I was coming out of a 30mph limit into a national speed limit and there were a few cars in front of me and I started to overtake them.

“One of the cars was turning right but I didn’t see his indicator and as I went past he started his manoeuvre and I went down the side of his car and over his bonnet. I flew through the air and landed in his drive.”

“I’m now very aware of the trauma I have put people through, especially my wife. I nearly cried when I met Karen because it’s very emotional meeting someone who has saved your life” - Nigel Quick

In addition to the head injury, Mr Quick also suffered burst and fractured vertebrae, a spleen injury and three broken ribs.

He had to be anaesthetised and placed in an induced coma by the air ambulance team to protect his brain from further injury.

He was flown to King’s College Hospital in London, where scans confirmed he had a potentially fatal bleed in his brain.

Mr Quick spent a month at King’s before he was transferred to Kent and Canterbury Hospital where he was for 10 days.

He is still undergoing physiotherapy but is now back at work as a self-employed fruit importer and is planning to ride bikes again.

He said: “I know how very lucky I am to still be walking and talking because I could have been a real burden on my family with the injuries I had.

“I’ve lost three stone, something which I needed to do, and this has made me realise how important family is.

“I’m now very aware of the trauma I have put people through, especially my wife. I nearly cried when I met Karen because it’s very emotional meeting someone who has saved your life.”

Mr Quick met Ms Clarke during a visit to the helicopter base at Marden.

She said: “It was fantastic to see that Nigel has made a full recovery from what could have been a life-changing injury. I’m really pleased to have played a small part in his recovery.”

Mr Quick’s family and friends have since helped raise more than £600 for the air ambulance through a parachute jump and 70th birthday party.

To make a donation to the air ambulance, call 01622 833833 or go to www.kssairambulance.org.uk.

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