Boy, eight, completes walking challenge to thank Welsh air ambulance crew who saved his life

Boy, eight, who was just two when seriously injured in motorway crash that killed his pregnant mother and unborn sister finishes 60-mile walking challenge to thank air ambulance crew who saved his life

  • Cian Evans walked every day in May to raise money for Welsh Air Ambulance 

An eight-year-old boy who survived a crash which killed his pregnant mother has completed a walking challenge to thank the helicopter crew who saved his life.

Cian Evans, of Pontardawe, Neath Port Talbot, was just two when he was seriously injured in a crash on the M4.

His mother, Rebecca Evans, 27, was eight months pregnant when she died at the scene near Port Talbot[2]. Cian was lucky to be alive with two broken legs, a fractured skull and a bleed between his brain and skull.

Cian’s life was saved when he was airlifted 50 miles by helicopter to hospital for urgent medical treatment.

‘Every time Cian sees the helicopter in the sky he always says: “That is my helicopter”,’ his dad Alex said. 

Cian Evans, eight, completed a 60 mile walking challenge to thank the Welsh air ambulance crew who saved his life Cian Evans, eight, completed a 60 mile walking challenge to thank the Welsh air ambulance crew who saved his life

Cian Evans, eight, completed a 60 mile walking challenge to thank the Welsh air ambulance crew who saved his life 

Cian's mother, Rebecca Evans, 27, was eight months pregnant when she died at the scene of a crash on the M4 near Port Talbot Cian's mother, Rebecca Evans, 27, was eight months pregnant when she died at the scene of a crash on the M4 near Port Talbot

Cian’s mother, Rebecca Evans, 27, was eight months pregnant when she died at the scene of a crash on the M4 near Port Talbot

After recovering from his injuries Cian met then Prince of Wales, now King Charles After recovering from his injuries Cian met then Prince of Wales, now King Charles

After recovering from his injuries Cian met then Prince of Wales, now King Charles

‘I am incredibly proud of him. We are forever grateful for the Wales Air Ambulance as if it didn’t exist then Cian may not be here with us today.’

Cian raised £770 by completing a 60 mile walking challenge for Wales Air Ambulance Service. He said he wanted to do the challenge because the charity ‘saved my life’.

Throughout May, Cian walked every day before school and in between football practice without letting the rainy weather stop him and he was given a medal for his achievement.

Alex said: ‘I was surprised how well he took to the challenge especially as the month of May started off rainy and cold.

‘I gained a lot from it as well. It was really nice going out with Cian and enjoying quality father-and-son time together.

Cian was 'excited' to receive his medal after completing the walking challenge Cian was 'excited' to receive his medal after completing the walking challenge

Cian was ‘excited’ to receive his medal after completing the walking challenge 

Rebecca and her husband Alex were doing their morning commute when a car crashed into theirs on the motorway Rebecca and her husband Alex were doing their morning commute when a car crashed into theirs on the motorway

Rebecca and her husband Alex were doing their morning commute when a car crashed into theirs on the motorway

Cian said one of his favourite walks was climbing Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons Cian said one of his favourite walks was climbing Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons

Cian said one of his favourite walks was climbing Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons

A Welsh Air Ambulance crew were thanked for saving Cian's life after he was involved in a motorway crash which killed his pregnant mother A Welsh Air Ambulance crew were thanked for saving Cian's life after he was involved in a motorway crash which killed his pregnant mother

A Welsh Air Ambulance crew were thanked for saving Cian’s life after he was involved in a motorway crash which killed his pregnant mother

‘I am incredibly proud of him. I did not expect Cian to raise so much money and I am incredibly pleased for him. He was excited to receive his medal and he is already looking forward to the next fundraiser.’

Cian said his favourite walks were walking up the steep mountains Pen y Fan and Corn Du in Bannau Brycheiniog, also known as the Brecon Beacons.

Cian added: ‘I am pleased I raised £770 from friends, family, and lots of other kind people.’

The Wales Air Ambulance Service said the Walk Wales Challenge has raised £28,257 so far.

References

  1. ^ Rhiannon James (www.dailymail.co.uk)
  2. ^ eight months pregnant when she died at the scene near Port Talbot (www.dailymail.co.uk)