Orthopaedic Surgeon Becomes Patient After Shocking Ankle Break on Cornwall Trek
Surgeon’s Slip Turns Serious on Coastal Walk
Professor Chris Lavy, a leading NHS orthopaedic surgeon from Oxford, knows broken ankles inside out. But he never expected to become one himself. While trekking along the rugged South Cornwall coast with his dog and friends in January, Chris suffered a nasty ankle break.
Walking between Par and Fowey, Chris was prepared for wet weather. But disaster struck in a flash. Spotting a sheep, he called his Labrador over and dropped his walking sticks to put the lead on. Suddenly, the dog pulled hard, and Chris slipped.
“My leg crumpled and I heard crack, crack, crack. I knew immediately that I’d broken my ankle,” he recalled.
Severe pain and swelling quickly set in, leaving him unable to bear weight on the injured leg.
Coastguard Rescue Team Scrambles to Save Surgeon
With Chris stuck on treacherous, muddy coastal paths, his friends dialled 999 and called in the Coastguard. The St Austell Coastguard Rescue Team responded fast.
Officer in Charge Martin Cocks said: “Chris had the right footwear and gear, but handling dogs on slippery terrain can cause accidents. Coastal paths become dangerously slippery in wet conditions and thick mud.”
The terrain was too rough for a foot extraction, so a rescue helicopter was summoned. Chris was airlifted to hospital where scans revealed a severe trimalleolar fracture — breaks to all three main ankle bones.
Grateful Surgeon Thanks Lifesavers
After his rescue, Chris sent a heartfelt thank-you letter to the St Austell team. It now hangs proudly at the Coastguard station as a daily reminder of their heroic efforts.
