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'Miracle' crash survivor to scale Helvellyn peak

Rachel CandlinWest of England
News imageGNAAS Sam is sitting perched in the cockpit of a GNAAS green, yellow and white helicopter in a large hangar. His mother, father, brother and sister are also standing in front of the plane, wearing winter outdoor clothing, and all smiling at the camera. GNAAS
Sam Kirby (centre) and his family at the GNAAS base

A man who survived a "life-changing" car accident has challenged himself to scale England's third-highest mountain to raise money for the team who saved him.

Sam Kirby, 31, from Gloucester, was driving home after a holiday in the Lake District in November 2024 when the collision occurred.

The crash saw a multi-agency emergency response, including police, fire service, the North West Ambulance Service, and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

Kirby, who sustained a brain injury and broke numerous bones, now plans to walk up Helvellyn on 19 September to raise £5,000 - the cost of one call-out for GNAAS.

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Kirby was moved to Southmead Hospital in Bristol after four weeks in intensive care in Preston.

"I only remember coming to in Bristol in May 2025," he said.

"So, I don't remember the first few weeks at all; it was just kind of a blessing, really."

News imageGNAAS Sam is lying asleep in an intensive care hospital bed with lots of wires coming out of his face and body. One leg in the foreground is covered in large white plasters and he is wrapped in a hospital gown with monitors behind his head GNAAS
Sam Kirby sustained a brain injury in the car accident, as well as breaking numerous bones and a small part of his spine

Kirby was a keen climber and walker before the accident, and his fitness was thought to have aided his recovery.

"He had been minimally conscious, and we didn't know if he would walk or talk or eat again," said his mother, Maggie Kirby.

"We had some quite bleak words from the brain neurology consultant who said that the only thing he's got in his favour is that he's young."

News imageMaggie Kirby Sam is on a hill walk supported on each side by Harry and Rachel. There is heather in the background and they are on a rough track. The men are wearing shorts and walking jackets and Rachel is in a summer skirt, sweatshirt and red baseball capMaggie Kirby
Sam Kirby (centre) has been preparing for the walk up Helvellyn with his siblings, Harry and Rachel

Kirby finally returned to his family home in Gloucester in September last year after extensive brain rehabilitation.

Then, a year after his accident he returned to Preston to meet the emergency crews who had saved him.

"The firefighters said it was a very sombre mood in the fire engine driving home that night because they didn't think Sam would make it," his mum said.

Kirby said the visit made him realise how lucky he had been and told his family they should start calling him "miracle boy" from then on.

News imageGNAAS Sam is standing in a hospital room in a medical device designed to keep him upright. His legs are in braces, and his arms are leaning on a table at chest height. He is wearing a pale hoodie and a white baseball cap and is holding a ball up in one handGNAAS
Kirby spent time in hospitals in Preston, Bristol, Cheltenham and Gloucester during his recovery

Several of the medics and firefighters will be joining Kirby on his walk up Helvellyn, which is 950 metres (3,117 ft) tall.

"I should be able to walk; I'm using walking poles," said Kirby.

"But, as I keep saying, as long as I can get to the top, the fire crew can carry me down."

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