Big Brother’s Matty Simpson has shared a horrifying story of saving a man’s life after a terrifying roadside accident.
The 25-year-old doctor, who starred on the revived reality programme which saw Jordan Sangha crowned winner, was travelling in Central America when his ‘worst fear’ came true.
Sharing the story on Instagram, he explained: ‘Currently, I’m on a tiny Central American island. I was riding my bicycle today when I came across a motorbike crash. One bike was destroyed and the other was lying on its side. I ran over to see what had happened.’
Matty wrote that it had been his ‘worst fear’, with two local men ‘face down in a ditch on the side of the road, and they weren’t wearing helmets’.
He continued: ‘Around fifty locals were watching the scene in panic. On a quick examination of the two guys, one seemed in a much worse condition because he was so quiet.
‘My adrenaline kicked in and I cut off his backpack with a knife, and started to assess his back.
‘He said that he was numb below the belly button and couldn’t move his legs. He also had severe neck pain. This man had a likely spinal cord injury and needed to go to hospital immediately.’
Unfortunately, there was only one tiny hospital on the other side of the island, with Matty revealing that no ambulance was available to take the injured man.
‘I felt dread knowing nobody was coming to help, and that I would have to deal with the situation alone,’ he wrote.
‘I lay down in the ditch to help stabilise his spine. At this point, a fire truck came to the scene, and in the chaos, it reversed into a wall. They only had one spinal board.
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‘The firemen were trying to drag the guy out of the ditch with his arms. When you have a suspected spinal cord injury, dragging someone could potentially kill them.
‘Instead, I organised a log roll to safely manoeuvre the man onto the spinal board. I turned around and the other injured man was being lifted out of the ditch in a fireman’s carry, with absolutely no spinal stabilisation. I shouted at them to stop, but it was too late. They both were placed into a truck and driven to the hospital.’
Matty concluded: ‘On reflection, I feel proud because I was able to use my skills to help save someone’s life. But I also feel frustrated because the care could have been much better.
‘Bystanders may be trying to help, but dragging someone with a spinal injury could be fatal or cause permanent damage.
‘This was a traumatic experience (especially in another language), but it is an experience that anyone may come across.’
Following his experience, he shared a video on social media of one of the damaged motorbikes, and wrote: ‘Reflections from this experience: 1. DO NOT move the person, this could make the injury worse 2. Wear a helmet + speed is the biggest killer 3. Listen to bystanders with medical training.’
Matty was showered with support from his followers, praising him for having done the best he could.
@guineverandgalahad wrote: ‘You did what you could and all you with what was available.’
@gem.morg added: ‘You are a wonderful person. Thank you so much for sharing these tips and helping those poor people.’
Shortly after leaving the Big Brother house, Matty revealed his plans to sell his belongings and travel Central America, with no plans for his return.
He wrote on social media: ‘I’m going to Central America next week for a while and I don’t know when I’ll be back!’
He’s since shared updates from his travels, with scenic views from Costa Rica, spending Christmas Day in the jungle and his adventures to Mexico City.
Matty explained in December: ‘I don’t start doctoring again until August, so from now until then I have no solid plans. I want to see as much of the world as I can in the next 8 months.
‘Just me, myself, a boyfriend and a backpack 🎒
‘Connor leaves to go back to work in 3 weeks so I’m gonna try to get from Costa Rica all the way to Mexico City by myself in three months. 2500km by bus/hitchiking/kindness of strangers/trains… let’s see what happens.’