A Perthshire mum has praised Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance after it came to her rescue following a potentially “life-changing” accident in Crieff.
Curstaidh Robertson (36) was riding her daughter’s pony, Callie, in a field behind Broich Road near to the River Earn when the animal was spooked by a dog in the bushes.
The pony tripped and Curstaidh – a mother-of-three from Muthill – tumbled off, falling flat on her back on the frozen ground.
Luckily, Curstaidh, who was unable to get up, was riding with her friend Sarah Jane Roseweir, who phoned 999 to summon aid for her stricken pal.
Curstaidh had fractured her vertebrae but was in good hands and was comforted by Crieff’s John Pritchard, who is a lead paramedic on the air ambulance, which is based at Perth Airport
Curstaidh said: “The air ambulance came very quickly. The crew were absolutely fantastic at reassuring me and working quickly to get me off the frozen ground.
“John was so lovely, chatting to me and reassuring me the whole time.”
The field was inaccessible by ambulance but the chopper was quickly on scene. John said: “The field was nice and flat so it was easy to land the helicopter but access for road vehicles was poor.
“The police and ambulance crew had to walk in, whereas we could land right next to Curstaidh.
“We were the first resource to arrive – it’s only a 10-minute flight from Scone to Crieff. Within an hour of her accident, Curstaidh was in Ninewells.
“Curstaidh was fortunate that her friend was there and able to call for help and also to get some covers on her. Hypothermia can set in quickly when you are not moving about and then there is also the shock to the body from the accident.”
The incident happened on January 10.
