Zoltan Szakacsi

My story

In July 2022, while walking on a pavement in Mayfair, I was struck by an out-of-control van. I was initially crushed and pinned against a fence railing before it gave way and I fell down a 10ft ledge into a basement. 

With concrete blocks smashed around me, I was trapped in the basement area where I had fallen.

I was conscious the whole time.I remember looking up at my colleague’s face, who was still standing on the pavement. His face told me how bad the situation was.

The police and London Ambulance Service (LAS) paramedics were the first to arrive at my side. This included an Advanced Paramedic Practitioner (APP) and the Hazard Area Response Team (HART). 

It was clear that although I was awake and conscious, I had sustained a near complete amputation of my right lower leg. The first responders proceeded to treat me rapidly, applying a tourniquet to my leg to stop any further bleeding whilst gaining intravenous access. This enabled them to administer sedation in order to safely and compassionately extricate me. They also applied a pelvic binder and box splint to my badly injured leg, and requested the assistance of London’s Air Ambulance’s advanced trauma team.

London’s Air Ambulance’s crew arrived as I was being extricated from the basement. They were able to provide me with more painkillers before examining me thoroughly to make sure I  didn’t have any other life-threatening injuries. They also administered antibiotics in anticipation of infection caused by contamination from any dirt and debris. I was then taken to the nearest major trauma centre.

I just concentrated on thinking about my two girls, I had to get through it for them, I had to remain positive for them.

On the way to the hospital, I was already considering the likelihood that I would lose my leg due to the catastrophic nature of the injury to it. I told them I just had to keep my knee – an amputation I could handle, but I really wanted to keep my knee.

The team at the hospital sadly could not save my lower leg. I underwent a below knee amputation on my right leg. In order to give me any chance of walking on a prosthetic limb, the team at the hospital needed to stabilise my pelvis too, which was fractured on both sides. In the same operation, plastic surgeons examined the remaining tissue, cut away any infected muscle and skin, and trimmed the bone to give them the best chance of fitting me with a prosthetic leg.

It has been a big adjustment, but I still consider myself lucky. I am lucky the paramedics and London’s Air Ambulance trauma team treated me that day. I am lucky to have my wife and family. I am lucky to be here.

On the year anniversary of my accident, I cycled from London to Brighton with my new prosthetic.

Unfortunately last year I couldn’t do it  because I celebrated my 2nd year anniversary in the hospital with more surgery. Now I feel I am ready to take the challenge again. 

I'm cycling to help save lives in London

London’s Air Ambulance is the charity that delivers an advanced trauma team to London’s most seriously injured patients. Your donation will help save more lives by keeping the helicopter in the air and the rapid response cars on the road, ready for when they are needed most. By providing intervention as quickly as possible after injury, London’s Air Ambulance Charity aims to give patients the best chance of survival, and best quality of life, after trauma.

I will be taking part in the London to Brighton Cycle for London's Air Ambulance Charity. Please give what you can to help save lives in London.