Skydiver who shattered leg in remote crash-landing gives thanks to Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance in its 30th anniversary year

A solo skydiver who was severely injured during a crash landing has praised the air ambulance for its life-saving service during it’s 30th anniversary year.

Lisa Sheldrake, an early years nursery manager from Edwinstowe, had jumped out of a plane at 3,500ft at Nottinghamshire’s Langar Airfield when she lost her bearings and knew her solo sky dive had gone disastrously wrong.

She struggled to get her bearings during the dive and started to panic as she couldn’t hear the instructors telling her how to get on course.

By the time she had steered herself in the right spot, she realised she was too low and unable to slow down in time — and heard a crack as her leg broke when she crashed to the ground.

Due to the severity of her injuries and the remote location of the airstrip, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance (LNAA) were immediately dispatched.

Lisa remembers waking up on that day in September 1999 feeling both nervous and excited. She had already completed one solo jump earlier in the year and decided to do another jump for a 30th birthday treat.

She said: “I got in the plane with a few others. When my turn came, I sat on the edge looking down on the patchwork quilt of fields, with my stomach churning.

“Pushing myself out, I felt the parachute open behind me and I was free falling for a few seconds before the canopy inflated.

“You are in total control of your descent. You are trained to use the altimeter, monitor your speed, and pull the cords to change direction. But instructors on the ground are constantly advising you via radio on your descent.”

After her crash, Lisa lay on the runway, raised her arm as she had been taught to do in case of an emergency and waited for help to arrive.

She said words cannot describe her relief when she saw LNAA's helicopter land close to where she lay.

The doctor and paramedic straightened Lisa’s leg, wrapped inflatable splint around it to give protection and airlifted her to Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre.

Lisa added: “It was quite loud and scary in the helicopter, and the crew were so empathetic and understanding of my fear and pain.”

She now has several metal rods and plates between her knee and ankle, and 24 years later she still finds it painful to walk.

Lisa believes she will always be indebted to the LNAA crew and that the air ambulance makes all the difference in getting anywhere in the counties so quickly.

She said: “Without LNAA there would be a massive gap in service and in some circumstances loss of life without a doubt.”

Lisa’s story is one of 30 patients’ stories being shared by Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

Since May 13, 1994, the life-saving charity has been called to over 29,500 missions, providing pre-hospital care to some of the most critically ill and injured people in Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.