Councillor's wife is airlifted to hospital

EMERGENCY call . . . Phyllis Bayley was lifted by air ambulance from Delph and Dobcross Cricket Club

THE wife of a parish councillor was taken to hospital by air ambulance after a serious fall at the couple's Delph home.

Phyllis Bayley is in a stable condition at Wythenshawe Hospital where she has received treatment for injuries to her head, neck and breast bone.

Mrs Bayley (73) was discovered at the bottom of a flight of stairs by her husband, Saddleworth parish councillor Geoff Bayley, as he returned home on Friday lunchtime.

Due to long-term medical problems Mrs Bayley uses a frame to manoeuvre around the house. It is thought she was walking without the frame when she fell but the exact circumstances surrounding the accident are unclear.

Mr Bayley (77) said: "I found her on the floor at the bottom of our short flight of stairs.

Damage

"I had only been out to pick up some food and also picked up my granddaughter who lives nearby.

"We did not move her because we thought she had neck and head injuries."

The couple's 17-year-old granddaughter Emma Bayley dialled the ambulance service and explained the situation.

Mr Bayley added: "She was ever so calm on the phone as she described the nature of the injuries."

An ambulance controller made contact with the air ambulance who sent a helicopter out to Delph and Dobcross Cricket Club.

Paramedics assisted in taking Mrs Bayley from her home by road ambulance before transferring her to the air ambulance at the cricket ground.

She was then transported to Wythenshawe Hospital where she was given stitches to the back of her head.

"There was no room for me in the helicopter," Mr Bayley said. I make light of it because it is the only way I can keep going.

"There is damage to a bone in her neck but we do not know the severity of it at this stage."

Visited

Mr Bayley and his granddaughter drove directly to the hospital where they remained until late.

They have since visited every day.

An orthopaedic specialist is due to assess Mrs Bayley's injuries and a decision will be made as to whether she is transferred to Salford. Family members praised the ambulance controller, paramedics, doctors and nurses for their professionalism and care.

Mr Bayley said: "All I can say is I am pleased that she seems to be in reasonably good spirits.

"I am very grateful to the kind staff who have helped.

"I have nothing but praise for everything they have done."