Boston Freemasons say ‘thank you’ to Air Ambulance for saving man’s life in tractor tragedy

When a fall left Boston Freemason David Neal skewered to the ground by a metal fence post it took the combined efforts of the fire service, ambulance crews, the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, and staff at Hull Royal Infirmary to save his life.

More than three years on and well on the way to recovery, he and fellow members of the town’s Lodge of Harmony have come together to give £800 to the Air Ambulance which flew him from his farm to Hull Royal Infirmary for life-saving surgery.

Like many other farmers he often works alone. In October 2022 he was pruning an ‘annoying’ willow tree.  He lost balance whilst standing on his tractor cab and fell, landing on a metal post. It didn’t damage any major organs, but went in through his upper thigh and came out through his buttock, impaling him in a standing position.

Without a mobile phone and about 80 metres from the main road, he began shouting for help.  After about half an hour his cries were heard by a passer-by, and the emergency services were called.

David said: ” I recall seeing a large pool of blood staining my foot and a pool of it on the ground before the fire brigade and the Air Ambulance arrived. They gave me  suitable pain killing medication and drugs which rendered me ‘well out of it’.”

The post was cut off and he was placed in the Air Ambulance and flown to Hull Royal Infirmary where he recalls waking up on a Ward. The post had been removed and he was surrounded by his family.

Lodge member Alan ‘Tiny’ Clifton said: “Fortunately David made a good recovery and lives on to tell the tale. Since then he has been a great supporter of the Air Ambulance with family members raising money for it through sponsorship.  Our Lodge 100+ Club agreed to make a donation of £400 to the Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, and David match-funded it.”

In the picture David, left, presents a cheque for £800 to Claire Woodman, the Aftercare Service Manager, together with other Lodge members Robert Collin, Simon Ward, the Lodge Master, and Alan ‘Tiny’ Clifton, the 100+ Club promoter.