Motorbike vs milk tanker

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Horrific injuries have kept Alan Hurford hospitalised for two months

Earlier this year, Alan was undertaking a passing manoeuvre under Taupiri Mountain, when he hit a pedestrian island, parted company with his bike and impacted the side of a milk tanker’s wheels. Dragged by the wheels until the tanker was able to stop, Alan’s leg was totally degloved of skin.

“The first we knew of this was when the police knocked on our door at 11pm at night,” said wife, Daralyn.  “At least we knew that at this point in time he was alive.”

“It was a time-critical accident,” said pilot Dan Harcourt. “We kept the helicopter running while our ED doctor, Muir Wallace, attended the patient and organised plastics and all the necessary teams back at the hospital, right from the roadside.  Alan was a lucky man that night.”

Now on the road to recovery Alan and his family attended the Waikato Westpac Rescue Helicopter Open Day on March 8. 

“We were really thrilled to be able to take Alan out of his hospital room for the first time to attend the Open Day,” said Daralyn.  “It was an even greater thrill to be able to meet the pilot and crewman.”

Daralyn and Alan Hurford have been Friends of The Rescue Helicopter for years and plan to continue to support the life-saving service we provide.

Help save more lives like Alan’s, CLICK HERE to donate.

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