Dad and son who survived horrific crash on A165 thank emergency crews

A FATHER and son who almost died in an horrific crash have thanked the crews who saved their lives.

Kevin and Michael Silkstone were both flown to hospital with serious injuries after the accident on the A165 near Barmston.

Michael, 37, spent four weeks in intensive care after suffering head injuries and a punctured lung.

His life was saved when he was operated on as he was flown to Hull Royal Infirmary in the RAF Sea King helicopter.

Kevin, 63, said: “Without that treatment on the aircraft, Michael would not be here today.

“He is lucky to have survived – the police told us they have been to crashes that weren’t as bad as the one we were in where people have died.”

Michael also suffered breaks to his shoulder, ribs, jaw and pelvis.

Kevin was taken to hospital, with head injuries and a broken leg and sternum, by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Kevin had been driving a silver BMW convertible, with Michael as his passenger, when they collided with a blue Ford Focus.

He said: “It is one of those things you hope will never happen to you, but unfortunately it did. We have been through a lot but we have come out the other side.

“We feel so grateful to everyone who helped – not just the air ambulance crews but the fire brigade, everyone who stopped to help at the time and the staff from the hospital. We plan to write to them all to thank them.”

The men had been returning to Fosse Hill caravan site in Brandesburton, where Kevin owns a caravan, when the accident happened on June 4.

Kevin’s wife Susan was with Michael’s wife Nikkie and their son Kai, 12, at the caravan when they were told what had happened.

“I can remember driving along the road and the next thing I remember is someone telling me I was about to be cut out of the car,” said Kevin.

“The next thing I remember was hearing the whirring of the helicopter, and then waking up in the hospital.

“Michael was in a bad way. He was in a coma for three weeks and our wives basically lived at the hospital.”

Both men are still undergoing treatment for their injuries.

On Saturday, they travelled back to the caravan park from their home in Leeds to hand over a cheque for more than £4,300 to crews from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

The money was raised by staff and visitors to the caravan park and through a sponsored jet ski ride from Bridlington to Scarborough.

Janet Butterfield, co-owner of the caravan park and jet ski centre, has helped to raise the money with friend Tracy Shaw.

She said: “Everybody was devastated when the accident happened.

“One of our customers saw it and they were so shocked but it was hours before we found out it was Kevin and Michael in it.

“The air ambulances made a huge difference to them so, when we were thinking about who to raise money for this year, we thought it had to me them. We wanted to help the people who helped Kevin and Michael.

“Everybody has been so generous, people who know Kevin and Michael and those who don’t.

“We want to thank everyone who has helped and donated.

“I can’t believe how generous people have been.”

A stretch of the A165 was closed for several hours after the accident, causing severe delays for bank holiday traffic.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances.

Any witnesses should call Humberside Police on 101, quoting log 203 of June 4.