Crash teen 'shocked' at having brain surgery

Tyler was airlifted to hospital with a serious brain injury and needed life-saving surgery

A teenager who survived a motocross crash says it was a "shock" to hear how serious his condition was after waking from life-support.

Tyler, 15, from near Goole, suffered a brain injury while out riding with his dad at a local motocross park in North Yorkshire on 10 April.

He was airlifted to Leeds General Infirmary, where he needed emergency surgery to save his life and spent almost two weeks in hospital.

Tyler said: "I don't remember anything from the day it happened. I just woke up in hospital a few days later and was told I'd had surgery on my brain and that I'd been on life support for a few days."

Tyler collapsed and began fitting, prompting his concerned dad to immediately call 999

Despite initially walking away from the incident, which saw him land on his head after crashing at speed, he collapsed and began fitting, prompting his concerned dad to call 999.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance's Nostell-based critical care team arrived within five minutes and it was clear he had suffered a serious brain injury.

Dr Tim Moll said: "When we saw Tyler, his arms were extended in a way that indicated potential severe brain damage, and I was really concerned.

"There's a type of head injury where someone can seem OK at first, but inside there is bleeding or swelling putting pressure on the brain and if it is not treated quickly, it can become fatal."

The crew, which included paramedic Tammy Williams, began preparing to intubate Tyler so they could take control of his breathing.

Tyler's condition deteriorated while being taken to hospital via air ambulance

During the 10-minute journey, Tyler's condition deteriorated, Dr Moll said, and he was taken straight into emergency surgery, where doctors discovered a bleed on his brain.

He was placed on life support for three days and spent almost two weeks in hospital as he began the long road to recovery.

Tyler said: "For a while, I couldn't go anywhere without my mum and dad in case I had a seizure, which was tough.

"Now, I'm back at school and seeing my friends again, and that's what I was most excited for."

Ms Williams added: "It's amazing to hear he's back at school and making such a positive recovery, that's the outcome we all hope for."

The teenager will feature on an episode of the TV programme Yorkshire Air 999, which follows the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad.

Click here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.