A woman seriously injured in a tractor accident near Masham has become a fundraiser for the air ambulance charity that came to her rescue.
Michelle Raine suffered a broken pelvis and serious spinal injuries when a tractor she was a passenger in rolled down a hill in August 2017.
Yorkshire Air Ambulance provided her with critical emergency medical care, pain relief and airlifted her to Leeds General Infirmary.
Ms Raine underwent emergency surgery to stabilise her pelvis and during her two-week hospital stay she also battled pneumonia, which resulted in the collapse of her lungs.
She then spent two months in a wheelchair but eventually made a full recovery.
Ms Raine, whose rescue was broadcast on the TV programme Helicopter ER, has now become a community fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.
She said:
“Their swift response and expert care during my accident were nothing short of miraculous.
“Now, as part of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance family, I cherish the opportunity to give back and make a positive impact on the lives of others, just like they did for me.”
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Ms Raine’s passion for the cause has been evident a long time already: one year after her accident she organised a fundraising ball that raised £15,000 for the charity.
Regional fundraising manager Linda Stead said:
Tractor stolen from farm in Weeton“Michelle is an invaluable asset to our fundraising team. Her firsthand experience as an ex-patient allows her to connect with donors and supporters on a deeper level, inspiring them with her remarkable journey and gratitude.”
North Yorkshire Police is appealing for witnesses after a tractor theft in Weeton.
The tractor was stole from Weeton Lane at 2.10am on May 12. According to police, a vehicle entered a farm and stole the orange Kubota Compact b7100 tractor.
Officers are asking for the public to come forward with information, particularly sightings of vehicles on Weeton Lane at the time of the incident.
You can contact the police on 101, select option 2 and ask for Chloe Kinnear. Or email chloe.kinnear@northyorkshire.police.uk.
The crime reference number is 12220081066.
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Ripon’s tractor boss celebrates 60 years in agriculture
Ripon Farm Services managing director Geoff Brown has seen huge changes in farming machinery over the past 60 years.
Mr Brown began his career in 1961, back when tractors still ran on petrol and were not even four-wheeled drive.
This year the company showed the world’s largest combine harvester at the Great Yorkshire Show.
Mr Brown started as a 16-year-old apprentice at car and agricultural machinery dealers Glovers of Ripon.
He worked for the Appleyard Group as its John Deere demonstrator before forming Ripon Farm Services in 1982 alongside local businessmen Maurice Hymas and Bill Houseman.
World’s largest combine harvester at this year’s GYS.
The company has grown to become one of the biggest in Ripon, employing 260 employees people and having a turnover of over £100m.
It is now the UK’s largest John Deere dealership with 11 depots and groundscare machinery departments.
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Mr Brown said:
Woman, 19, in critical condition after being struck by tractor in Ripley“I’ve seen many changes, both in the world in general and in farming in particular, but the values that I’ve followed throughout my career – hard work and an unwavering commitment to the very best customer service – have remained the same. Many of our customers are also long-standing friends.
“I’ve taken great pride in the success of Ripon Farm Services, which I founded with friends and fellow businessmen in 1982. I’ve watched the company grow from a small concern to one of the biggest employers in the Ripon area, with some 260 staff and a turnover of more than £100m.
“This gives me tremendous pleasure, but I would stress that the success of Ripon Farm Services is down to the loyal and committed staff we have employed over the years. They have been the bedrock of this company and their dedication and expertise is second to none.”
A woman is in a critical condition after being struck by a tractor near Ripley yesterday.
The 19-year-old from the Ripon area was standing next to a broken down silver Hyundai 4×4 when she was hit by a passing tractor.
According to North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service’s incident report, the Hyundai started filling with smoke and the driver pulled over.
The report added:
“One of the passengers of the vehicle got out and ran round to the driver side to get the driver out and they were then hit by a moving vehicle.
“Crews administered first aid on their arrival. The passenger was taken to hospital by road ambulance, the driver and other passenger were uninjured. Incident left with the police.”
Police were called to the scene on Fountains Road between Ripley and Bishop Thornton at 5.17pm. The road was closed until 11.13pm while emergency services attended.
According to North Yorkshire Police, the broken down Hyundai had been travelling away from Ripley towards Bishop Thornton, as was the tractor.
Police added the tractor driver did not stop at the scene but was later traced. He was subsequently released under investigation while enquiries continue.
Dashcam appeal
Police described the woman’s injuries as serious and said she remains in a critical condition in hospital.
The green John Deere tractor was towing a flat trailer carrying bales wrapped in black plastic.
Police are asking for anyone with dashcam footage or anyone who saw the vehicles involved on Fountains Road to contact them.
They are particularly keen to trace a car also believed to be travelling towards Ripley at the time of the collision. Police believe the driver may have witnessed the collision or seen the tractor passing the 4×4.
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Any witnesses are asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Alison Hoyle. The officer can be contacted on email using Alison.Hoyle@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk.
The reference number is 12210045363.