A YEAR after falling 40ft from a Tynedale crag, a rock climber has personally thanked the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) medics who airlifted him to hospital.

Michael Patterson (28) was climbing with friends at Steel Rigg on Hadrian's Wall in May last year when he plummeted to the ground and hit his head.

The firefighter with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service spoke out about his ordeal to help raise awareness of the work of the GNAAS as it marks its 15th anniversary as an independent charity.

Mr Patterson, from County Durham, said: “I was near the top and on to my last move when a large boulder came away and unfortunately dislodged all my protection as well.

“I fell to the ground and hit my head. I was wearing a helmet, which helped a lot, but I blacked out.

“Apparently I came round a couple of minutes later and wasn’t making much sense. My next memory is waking up in hospital about a week later.”

Fellow experienced climbers Jack Wilson (24) and Bethany Liddle (26) watched in horror as the drama unfolded.

Mr Wilson, from Sunderland, said: “He wasn’t breathing and his eyes were wide open. It was awful.

“He looked dead.”

Fortunately, a doctor out walking came to their aid and co-ordinated the first aid effort.

Mr Patterson had suffered a contusion to his brain, shattered his eye orbit and broken his shoulder.

GNAAS worked alongside the North East Ambulance Service’s Hazardous Area Rescue Team, Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team and the North of Tyne Mountain Rescue Team.