In February 2023, Gracie Kinnear’s family felt the world was ‘slowly collapsing’ after their
little girl was involved in a tragic accident. Emma and Martyn were unsure if their little girl
would survive her injuries.
It was a school half-term holiday that Gracie’s family will never be able to erase from their
memory. A fun day playing with her family and friends quickly turned into a heart-
wrenching situation for Gracie and her parents.
The four-year-old was outside playing on her bike with a friend, supervised by her mum
Emma, when she was struck by a van.
Thanks to the Wales Air Ambulance, Gracie survived her injuries and is here to celebrate
another Christmas with her parents and older brother.
Emma said: “Sadly, Gracie had an accident on her pushbike involving a delivery van. We
rushed our beautiful daughter to Glangwili Hospital, where the Wales Air Ambulance medics
were waiting. If it wasn’t for them, my daughter most likely would not be here today.”
After assessing Gracie, the Wales Air Ambulance medics sedated her and inserted a
breathing tube.
An X-ray showed that she had a collapsed lung. The medics made a small incision between
her ribs and inserted a tube to release the pressure.
It soon became apparent that Gracie, from Caramarthen, was extremely sick and she
needed a blood transfusion due to internal bleeding.
Emma continued: “Our world was slowly collapsing around us. We were unsure of whether
our little girl would survive.”
Wales Air Ambulance consultant Dr Jon Birks said: “It was clear when we first saw her that
she had sustained major injuries. As specialists in major trauma, we took over her care and
gave her a general anaesthetic. We then placed her on a ventilator to take over her
breathing and protect her brain.
“We also made a small incision between her ribs to release air from a collapsed lung, and
then performed a blood transfusion.
“Gracie was an incredibly poorly little girl. As a father myself, seeing a family’s world fall
apart is heartbreaking.”
Once stabilised, Gracie was transferred by road ambulance, with the Wales Air Ambulance
medics on board, to the hospital in Cardiff.
The treatments Gracie received from the Wales Air Ambulance are typically only available in
hospital emergency departments. However, thanks to the unique third-sector and public-
sector partnership between the Wales Air Ambulance Charity and Emergency Medical
Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS), she received advanced care before being
transferred to the University Hospital of Wales Neurosurgical and Paediatric Trauma Centre.
The Wales Air Ambulance team that day included Dr Jamie Vassallo and Critical Care
Practitioner Connor Morgans, alongside Dr Jon Birks.
During the trip to Cardiff, Gracie needed another blood transfusion, performed by the Wales
Air Ambulance team.
Upon arrival at the hospital, paediatric and major trauma teams took over Gracie’s care.
Emma said: “It was every parent’s worst nightmare. One moment she was happily riding her
bike, and the next she was fighting for her life – and that’s what our Gracie had to do, fight!”
Gracie’s recovery was slow to begin with. She was placed into a coma, where it was touch-
and-go for five days.
She had life-threatening injuries, including a broken scapula, broken ribs, broken pelvis, and
lacerations to her liver. She also had a shattered right kidney, which needed to be removed.
Whilst in hospital, Gracie underwent brain surgery twice and the family didn’t know what
her prognosis would be.
Grateful Emma said: “She also had surgery on her ear and head, which is healing very well,
although she won’t ever regain her hair where she’s lost it. Gracie will need care and checks
for her right kidney for the rest of her life. We hope to never need medical intervention, but
it is a possibility in the future. That said, it’s a small price to pay to have her with us today.”
With the support of the Kinnear family, the lifesaving Charity has launched its Christmas
Fundraising Appeal, Gracie’s Gift of Life.
Emma said: “The Wales Air Ambulance has given us the greatest gift of all; they’ve given
Gracie a future. Something that we will forever be grateful for. The memories we make this
Christmas and beyond would never have been possible without them.
“Most children will ask for toys this Christmas, but the only gift Gracie and our family want
this year is for the Wales Air Ambulance to continue to save lives. Your support today will
help to make Gracie’s Christmas wish come true. So, if you can, please donate to this
lifesaving all-Wales charity.
“You never know when you or your loved ones might need their emergency care. Without
them, Gracie wouldn’t be here. There is no doubt about it.”
The Wales Air Ambulance Charity relies on public donations to raise the £13 million required
every year to keep the helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.
After her recovery, Gracie met the medics who helped save her life. Dr Jon Birks said: “To
have met Gracie again, full of life, is incredibly humbling.”
If you would like to donate to Gracie’s Gift of Life Christmas appeal and help save more lives
across Wales, you can donate by visiting www.walesairambulance.com/thegiftoflife
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