THE Blaenavon firefighter who was airlifted to hospital following a fire engine crash says that his helmet saved his life.

Watchman Paul Roberts, 51, was one of five firefighters injured after the fire engine they were travelling in overturned on Abergavenny Road, between Blaenavon and Govilon.

The crew, retained firefighters from Blaenavon, were responding to an emergency call when the accident happened on May 16.

Mr Roberts was airlifted by Wales Air Ambulance to the University of Wales Hospital, Cardiff, before undergoing on operation to fit a pin in his broken femur.

He said: “Gone are the days when crews are getting ready on the move. I was in uniform, with my headgear and seat belt on.

“After the crash the cabin collapsed in, pressing on my headgear. Without it I think I would have had brain damage – it saved my life.”

His torso was bent over the transmission box, his arm was trapped behind his head, the cabin was pressing on his head and shoulder, while the dashboard trapped his legs. He said: “I wasn’t panicking as I knew help was coming, and I was still shouting orders.”

Firefighter Paul Roberts first became aware that the engine was leaving the road when he heard fence posts scraping against it.

He was sat next to the driver and when he looked up, he saw a tree coming towards him.

He described how his blood pressure dropped and everyone thought that the accident was going to prove fatal.

But luckily the ambulance crews were able to administer drugs while he was still trapped. He said: “It never entered my head that I had broken my leg. It felt like pins and needles.

“I was put unconscious while my legs were freed. I then remember being in a stretcher on the roadside and then the pain was agony.” He didn’t realise that he was being airlifted until it was happening and the trip seemed quick.

He said: “It has given me an understanding of what it feels like for people in a trapped situation.” Mr Roberts, who had never received an injury while in service, remained in hospital for 13 days receiving treatment for a broken femur, broken sternum, broken ribs and a fractured vertebra.

He said: “They said once I could stand for ten minutes on crutches I could go home but so far I had only managed three. The next day I did the full ten as I sawit as a challenge.” Mr Roberts, who continues to use crutches and wears a back brace, said: “It’s now all banter at work and there are no hard feelings.”

He started as a fire fighter at the age of 24 after being inspired by his great uncle Archie Atfield who was a firefighter in Blaenavon.

Mr Roberts is now approaching 30 years in service, and in 2008, he received a medal for maintaining high standards.

He would like to thank everyone in South Wales Fire Service and ambulance crews who helped him that day and especially to Wales Air Ambulance.

Walk for air ambulance

A CHARITY walk has been organised to raise money for the Welsh Air Ambulance inspired by the events that day.

The walk on July 27 will see crews cover 33 miles from Cardiff to Blaenavon.

To sponsor them visit www.justgiving.com/walktostation39