A former RAF bomb disposal expert has donated his crash compensation to the air medics who flew to his rescue.

Thomas Frederick Knox, 82, from Armathwaite, fractured his sternum, vertebrae and collarbone in a horrific crash in Wetheral.

He was treated at the scene by the crew on board the Great North Air Ambulance, before being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

Recalling the incident, Mr Knox said: “I was in the car going to the doctors, then next thing I know, I’m sat in the car and I couldn’t move.”

Thankfully Mr Knox managed to recover from his injuries, and when he celebrated his 80 th birthday he received £500 in donations for GNAAS - which he gave to the charity last year.

Now the veteran has had a second chance to thank the medics who came to his aid, when he handed over the £2,000 he received in compensation following the crash on June 6, 2014.

Mr Knox visited the Langwathby base, where he met GNAAS aircrew doctor Jeff Doran who treated him on the day of his car accident.

He said: “The GNAAS crew were first-class and I knew I was safe in Dr Doran’s hands.

“ When I got the compensation money I had already planned to give it to GNAAS as they offer a marvelous service and we couldn’t be without them.”

Mr Knox now plans to carry out fundraising activities in the future to help support GNAAS.

Grahame Pickering, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “This money was paid to Mr Knox as compensation for the trauma he experienced.

"In an act of sheer selflessness and generosity he has then donated it straight to us. We are humbled.

“ Mr Knox typifies the kind of spirit that keeps the air ambulance flying. Without him, and the countless others who make regular sacrifices, we wouldn’t be able to keep flying.”

GNAAS needs to raise about £5m every year to keep its service running.

To find out how you can help, please visit www.gnaas.com.