THE daughter of a cyclist who died following a crash on a Hampshire road is to complete a charity run for the air ambulance which came to his aid.

Emma Damen and family are thankful that Jim Tassell was able to fulfill his wish of donating his organs to several patients, thanks to Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance staff, who airlifted him to University Hospital Southampton (UHS).

The 70-year-old avid cyclist and runner from Andover was knocked off his bike by a car in July 2021 as he headed down the B3400 between Basingstoke and Andover.

Despite wearing his safety helmet, he had sustained multiple bleeds on his brain. Jim sadly died in hospital shortly after.

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Because of the interventions of the air ambulance crew, Jim was able to be taken to hospital while still alive. This meant his wish for the donation of his organs, including heart and liver, could be granted.

Emma’s mum, Stephanie, was greeted at her door by the police who blue-lighted them both to the region’s major trauma unit.

Jim had broken his shoulder, his leg and two of his ribs. He’d also punctured one of his lungs and was covered in severe cuts and bruises. But it was the head injury that proved fatal.

The doctors and paramedics from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which is based in Nursling, provided treatment to help keep Jim alive, before flying him to University Hospital Southampton.

Daily Echo:

Emma said: "If they hadn't done that, dad would've died at the scene.

"I've got no doubt whatsoever that dad had the absolute best care. Every possible chance was given to him, but his injuries were just too severe. Without the Air Ambulance team, he would never have been able to do the amazing things he's done afterwards.”

To thank Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance for its efforts, Emma, her husband and brother are taking on the Great South Run in October – a race Jim completed eight times, once with Emma by his side.

She added: It's going to be emotional. We always knew about the Air Ambulance but didn't realise it relied on donations. We will never be able to show enough gratitude for what the team did for him.”

To donate, visit justgiving.com/team/teamdamentassell

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