A schoolgirl who was badly hurt during a cycling trip with her family has returned to thank her rescuers.
Eleven-year-old Sahar Jafferbhoy was catapulted over her handlebars in an accident at a remote spot near Loch Leven earlier this year.
She was barely conscious and in extreme pain when she was reached by SCAA, Scotland’s only charity air ambulance crew.
The Longforgan Primary pupil was airlifted to hospital with a broken wrist, facial injuries and concussion.
Now four months on, Sahar, who has made a full recovery, has shown her gratitude to the Perth Airport-based SCAA through the power of home-baking.
The youngster made £120 from a bake sale in honour of her heroes.
“I don’t remember much about the accident,” she said. “I was cycling with my father and brother around the Loch Leven trail and I remember overtaking them on a downhill stretch.
“Then all I remember is being sore and really cold and people being kind to me and wrapping me in jumpers and jackets.”
A road ambulance team initially came to tend to Sarah’s injuries, but SCAA was called because of the remote and difficult-to-access setting.
“I remember seeing the helicopter coming down,” said Sahar. “The crew was so nice to me – really kind – and they gave me a SCAA teddy bear, which was a real comfort to me.
“Dad was able to fly in the helicopter with me, which also helped.”
She said: “When I recovered from my injuries, I looked up SCAA’s website and wanted to do something to help.
“I like baking, so we had a bake sale. I was really pleased to raise £120 for such a great charity. It was exciting to visit their base and meet the team.”
Sahar’s mother Noorie praised SCAA’s rapid response, which she was believe was crucial for her daughter’s recovery.
“SCAA is just amazing,” she said. “My husband Hasnain said they were on the scene within minutes and by the time I drove from Longforgan to Ninewells Hospital, they were already there.
“You don’t realise what a valuable service this is until you need them. They’re just amazing – real heroes of the air – and my family will be forever grateful for what they did for Sahar on that dreadful day.”
