A Northumberland cyclist who was put in a coma for three days after he came off his bike says the accident led to the discovery of lump on his kidney.
Tim Lambert was out riding in Corbridge with a friend back in October 2021 when he came off his bike just a mile away from his home and was airlifted to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).
The 75-year-old suffered a serious head injury, a clot behind his eye, as well as a broken nose and cheekbones. He was put in a coma at the scene of the accident before being flown to the Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) in Newcastle. There, he was put in intensive care and placed on a life-support machine.
READ MORE: Join ChronicleLive's Whatsapp community for breaking news and top stories
“I have been cycling since I was three years old and that was my first ever accident," Tim said.
“I was brought out of my coma after three days in hospital and in the time I had been asleep they have removed the clot from my eye, cleaned up my face and I had seen the plastic surgeon.
“I was allowed home after one week in hospital and now I am back to how I was before the accident."
While in hospital, Tim underwent scans that revealed he had a lump on his kidney. Although benign, his kidney was removed and Tim believes "things could have been very different" if it had not been discovered.
“It was pure coincidence that this showed up and who knows what could have happened without the scans," he said.
“GNAAS are absolutely amazing and my wife and I have supported them for over 14 years but we never thought we could one day need them.”
He added: “The team were amazing and without their help things could have been very different.”
GNAAS does not receive Government funding and needs to raise £7.7m a year to remain operational. To find out more about how you can support the charity visit: gna.as/readyforanything
READ NEXT:
Tragedy as man dies after being rescued from house fire in Newcastle
Northumbria Police seize $63,000 from account belonging to a bogus cleaning company
Newcastle foodbank struggling to survive as it grapples with soaring bills and increased demand
New homeware shop opens in Jesmond as Acorn Outfitters expands with sister store
Gateshead man left to sleep on sofa for months due to 'nightmare' roof leak in bedroom
