A BRITISH touring car driver has thanked air ambulance crews who saved his life after he was seriously injured in an 11 car pile-up in June.

Luke Davenport says he owes his life to the team at the Great North Air Ambulance service, who leapt into action when his car aquaplaned from the track during a race at Croft Circuit, near Dalton-on-Tees.

The 24-year-old was taking part in BTCC races when gloomy weather left the racing track dangerously slippery, causing the saloon car driver to fly off the track after just three laps.

Cooling fluid spilling from his damaged car caused other drivers to lose control and collide, with the ensuing devastation resulting in a horrendous pile-up of 11 cars.

Davenport and another driver had to be cut from their vehicles. He broke his right arm, ankle, left leg, pelvis and collar bone in the crash.

His lungs were punctured and he also suffered four broken ribs and damaged ligaments in his right leg.

Describing the terrifying crash, the Cambridgeshire racer said: “I owe all my thanks to the paramedic team who helped me that day.

“The track was wet so it wasn’t the best driving conditions.

“I remember feeling the rear end of the car sliding, causing it to aggressively oversteer at the back.

“I flew off the track and ripped off part of the car’s splitter, which left cooling fluid across the track.

“I tried to restart the car, but there was no water in it so I was a sitting duck.

“I radioed the team that I was off the track and but the car felt good and I thought I could just get the grass cleared out of the radiator and then I could head back onto the track.”

“I was facing away from oncoming vehicles and then I felt the biggest hit in the rear right quarter, which was Andrew Jordan hitting into me.

“I radioed my team again saying it was a bit more serious than first thought, and then it all goes blank.”

Due to the extent of his injuries, the on-site medical team alerted the GNAAS whose doctor and paramedic decided to place him into an induced coma before airlifting him to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Davenport is now home with his family and undergoing physiotherapy to help him on the road to recovery.

He hopes to be back racing next season.

  • The Great North Air Ambulance Service relies on donations to survive, with its running costs to fly in the region last year standing at £5.1m.
  • To support the charity, call 01325 487263 or visit gnaas.com for more information.