Sir Alex thanks 999 crews for saving his grandchildren

MANCHESTER United manager Sir Alex Ferguson paid personal thanks to emergency crews who helped save the lives of his grandchildren and their mother.

North-West Air Ambulance’s yellow helicopter paid a flying visit to United’s Carrington training ground where they were joined by road ambulance crews and an off-duty nurse who was the first on the scene.

Former Crompton House pupil Nadine Ferguson (30), the ex-wife of Sir Alex’s son Darren, and her children Charlie (10) and Grace (6), were badly injured in the car smash in Cheshire in May.

Nadine was airlifted to hospital in Manchester, Charlie rushed to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool and Grace taken to Leighton Hospital, Crewe after a head-on collision during the school run.

Sir Alex said: “We all take a lot for granted these days and this includes our health. Yet these amazing people are here 24/7, making sure they’re ready whenever we need them.

“My family certainly needed them that day and it’s thanks to their efforts and the teams at the hospitals that everyone is well on the mend.

“I think the air ambulance is a real credit to the North West — please do everything you can to support them.”

Lynda Brislin, chief executive of North West Air Ambulance, said: “We were delighted to meet Sir Alex and explain the vital role we play providing care from the air every day.

“Sir Alex was really keen to hear about our work and even sat in the cockpit as our pilot talked him through the helicopter’s controls.

Mrs Ferguson once worked in Oldham before she married Darren (37), in 2003, and they moved to Cheshire. They split in 2007