Two teenagers from Bude have seen their names displayed on one of Cornwall Air Ambulance helicopters after an incident last year.
Lewie Cole, from Bude, faced a life-altering ordeal when he fell 15 feet from a clifftop.
The fall which happened while rock climbing with his twin brother Logan left him with serious injuries, including a punctured lung, severed artery, and broken bones throughout his body. He also lost half a kidney.
Cornwall Air Ambulance was tasked to the scene, as part of a large-scale multi-agency response.
Lewie had fallen into a secluded cove, and in a complex operation, the Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter managed to locate the 15-year-old and winch him to safety.
Critical care paramedics Steve and Pete treated and stabilised him, before airlifting him to Derriford onward care.
At Derriford, Lewie underwent surgery where he had metal plates inserted to help repair his pelvis. After three days he was transferred to Bristol and spent a total of six weeks in a wheelchair.
A year later, Lewie and his brother Logan visited the base in Newquay to thank Steve and Pete for saving his life in person.
"They saved my life," Lewie said. "I wouldn't be here without them or without Logan."
Logan added: "It was weird, I sort of knew he would be alright, and he wouldn't die. He would have died if they weren't there, it would have been like losing a part of me, like my other half. So, I'm thankful he's still here."
Steve who was one of the critical care paramedics who was on the scene at the time added: “Lewie was incredibly unwell that day, it is remarkable to see him walk into the airbase less than a year later to meet myself and Pete again, and under much better circumstances!”
Lewie and Logan have both become Heli2 Heroes, meaning their names will feature on the base of your second AW169 helicopter.
To find out more about Heli2 Heroes, visit https://cornwallairambulancetrust.org/product/heli2-heroes/.
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