AN eight-year-old girl who was critically ill after choking as a toddler has returned to the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance base at North Weald to thank the crew who helped save her life.

Charlotte, who was nearly two when she began to choke on a piece of food at her nursery, was eager to meet the team who had been on duty that day and hear more about the work of the life-saving charity.

When Charlotte began to choke in July 2019, nursery staff quickly recognised the seriousness of the situation and dialled 999, triggering an immediate multi-agency emergency response. Charlotte's condition meant specialist medical intervention was required at the scene to save her.

When Essex & Herts Air Ambulance clinician Dr Asher Lewinsohn and Critical Care Paramedic Jake Humphrey arrived, she was unresponsive. As Dr Asher describes, "There was no doubt in my mind that we only had less than a minute, probably just a few seconds, to try and save her life."

With Charlotte's heart close to stopping, the team needed to get her breathing properly, which was extremely challenging due to the food in her airway. They administered an anaesthetic and were eventually able to insert a breathing tube to enable her to get enough oxygen. She was then airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, a specialist centre for children's care, where she spent two days in intensive care. She went on to make a full recovery.

Charlotte visited the base shortly after the incident but now, old enough to understand the significance of what the crew did for her, she had been asking her family if she could visit again. At the airbase, she was able to explore the aircraft, meet the crew, and ask plenty of questions.

Her family, who have been supporters of the charity ever since the incident, are calling on people across Essex and Hertfordshire to give what they can to ensure the crew can help others who might find themselves in Charlotte's position.

Alice Kershberg, who leads the Patient & Family Liaison Team at Essex & Herts Air Ambulance was there to meet Charlotte and her family with the rest of the crew:

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"It was incredibly special to welcome Charlotte and her family to North Weald. Hearing how far she's come and seeing her reconnect with the team who helped care for her that day, was a powerful reminder of why we do what we do."

Dr Asher, who now flies with Thames Valley Air Ambulance, was at the base and delighted to reunite with Charlotte and her family:

"It is truly special to see how well Charlotte is doing years later and the wonderful person and character she is becoming. Seeing a success story like hers is always rewarding and reminds us how grateful and honoured we all are to have been part of her care and journey."

Charlotte's dad, Richard Smith, said: "We feel a lifelong bond to everyone that looked after Charlotte and are grateful, not only to Asher, Jake and the pilots who attended, but also to the volunteers and supporters that keep the Air Ambulance flying. What happened to Charlotte really could have happened to anyone.

I always knew we had a local air ambulance but I had no real appreciation of the work they did. If it wasn't for the team landing that day, things would be very different for us. We're asking anyone who can to give a little something to support this vital local charity."

To find out more or to donate, visit ehaat.org