Father of kidney op boy hails 'amazing' helicopter crewThe father of a youngster airlifted to hospital for a kidney transplant after becoming stuck in snow has thanked police for their help in the rescue.
Daniel Brookes, 26, from Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, was on his way to Nottingham on Wednesday to take his son Blake Beckett for the operation.
But they got stuck in traffic chaos caused by bad weather on the A614.
"I want to thank Nottinghamshire police with all of my heart for their help and assistance," he said.
Nottinghamshire Police's helicopter unit was routinely screening incoming calls when it noticed the family's plight and offered to help.
“ I was over the moon when I found out the police helicopter was coming to get Blake. ”
-- Father, Daniel Brookes
The helicopter landed in a field near Mr Brookes' car and then flew Blake to hospital for his transplant.
Officers cleared a landing ground for the helicopter near the hospital and Blake was transferred there by ambulance.
On Thursday Nottinghamshire Police said the eight-year-old underwent a kidney transplant last night and was now recovering at Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) in Nottingham.
Mr Brookes said: "There was no way we could have got to the hospital in time.
"My car was slipping and sliding all over the road and the traffic was building up.
"I was over the moon when I found out the police helicopter was coming to get Blake.
"He was getting a little distressed, but as soon as I told him the helicopter was coming for him it made his day and his eyes lit up.
Kidney waiting
"I want to thank Nottinghamshire Police with all of my heart for all their help and assistance in getting Blake to the hospital.
"The officers were absolutely amazing and did everything they could to help us."
Pc Steve James, from the helicopter unit, said their success had made it worth getting into work through the snow.
He said: "When we saw the call, we knew instantly that we could help in this situation and offered our assistance straight away.
"The kidney was waiting there at the hospital for him and if we did not get him there pretty quickly, the kidney would have been useless.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/england/nottinghamshire/8446123.stmPublished: 2010/01/07 13:18:55 GMT
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