2017 Winner
Midlands Air Ambulance Team
Birmingham’s helicopter heroes have been honoured for saving the life of a heavily-pregnant stabbing victim and her unborn baby.
The Midlands Air Ambulance crew who saved Natalie Queiroz won the Pride of Birmingham Emergency Services Award for their heroism and incredible skill under extreme pressure.
Natalie, 40, who was eight months pregnant, had been stabbed 24 times by her partner during a frenzied attack in Sutton Coldfield town centre on March 4, 2016.
After receiving a 999 call, Helimed03 from Cosford airbase was despatched to the scene with a three-man crew – Dr Ravi Chauhan, critical care paramedic Steven Mitchell and captain Richard Steele.
Pilot Richard landed the helicopter on the High Street, as close to the victim as possible, and within 12 minutes the team had stabilised her enough to take her to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Natalie underwent an emergency C-section alongside major surgery to repair damage to her heart, lungs, liver, wrist and abdomen and both mother and baby survived.
Pride of Birmingham, in partnership with TSB, honours unsung heroes of all ages who do extraordinary things to help others.
The crew received their Award at a star-studded dinner hosted by TV presenter and campaigner Katie Piper, and attended by some of the region’s biggest stars.
Natalie paid an emotional tribute to them, saying: “My baby and I would not be here today if it was not for the Midlands Air Ambulance, and my other two daughters would not have their mum or little sister. ‘Thank you’ will never be enough.”