Biker meets man who saved life after 70mph crash

Motorcyclist Ruth Cork met blood donor Alex Quant-Smith for the first time since his donation saved her life

A motorcyclist says the man who saved her life after she was involved in a 70mph crash will always have a special place in her heart.

Ruth Cork, 38, from Shrewsbury, suffered 13 broken bones and serious head and facial injuries after she was thrown over her handlebars in a collision with a car in 2022.

Blood donor Alex Quant-Smith, 36, from Spalding in Lincolnshire, donated his blood plasma and said meeting up with Ms Cork at the NHS Blood and Transplant Centre in London recently was a "once-in-a-lifetime experience".

Ms Cork added: "As an ordinary person, Alex has done something extraordinary - saving a life, which very few can say they've done."

Ms Cork, who has since largely recovered from her injuries, was given a transfusion of red blood cells and blood plasma while being taken to the Royal Preston Hospital in an air ambulance, following the accident on the A65 in Cumbria.

Upon meeting Mr Quant-Smith, Ms Cork told him: "I owe you everything."

She added: "He played an early and critical role among the many who helped save mine [life]. He will always have a special place in my heart, and in my blood.

"Meeting Alex was an emotional experience that filled me with excitement, profound gratitude and anticipation."

Mr Quant-Smith has given about 15 blood donations, with Ms Cork being one of the recipients after her accident

Their meeting was part of a NHS blood campaign. It was filmed by the BBC's The One Show and broadcast on Thursday.

Teacher Mr Quant-Smith, who has given about 15 donations, said: "Knowing that one simple action has saved someone's life is something that still feels surreal, as the process of donating is something that so many people can do.

"It's something that affected my family when I was younger.

"I'm so glad I got the opportunity to meet Ruth and it's made it more important for me to spread the word of blood donation and talk about it more openly."

'Donations are critical'

Laura Green, who is a consultant haematologist for NHS Blood and Transplant, said without the donation, Ms Cork could have died.

She said: "Blood donations are critical for saving lives after a traumatic injury.

"The red cells replace the blood you've lost, carrying oxygen around your body. And the blood plasma can help the blood to clot.

"Without Alex's donation, Ruth may have died from her crash injuries. It was lovely to see them meet."

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