SHATTERED LIVES: Prof Peter Brennan |
Saving lives by stopping falls
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A prominent Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon working at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth is lucky to be alive after falling from a ladder at home.
Prof Brennan was cleaning the gutters of his house when he fell 18ft off a ladder. Addressing his 17,000 followers on Twitter after the accident he said: “Been quiet following an unfortunate ladder encounter”.
It turned out to be something of an understatement!
Prof Brennan takes up the story: “I was cleaning the gutters of the house when I fell. It’s a job I’ve done twice a year for countless number of years without any problems at all.”
“It was the most unexpected and terrifying experience of my life. I didn’t think it could happen to me, especially as I am so careful and always check and double check everything. The ladder had large rubber feet, but somehow they lost grip, it slid backwards and I slipped 18 feet down the wall.”
“I sustained multiple injuries and fractures, including a swollen, bruised and cut face, fractured tooth, three broken ribs, knee cap, tibial plateau and toe. I just feel lucky to be alive.”
“I can’t praise my NHS colleagues at the Queen Alexandra Hospital enough for their amazing ongoing care to date. I never thought I would end up in hospital after using such a simple thing as a ladder.”
Says Prof Brennan: “If it can happen to me it can happen to anyone. There’s a lot more to using a ladder safely than everyone thinks. Don’t be complacent and never underestimate the risks involved.”
Been quiet as had unfortunate ladder encounter
— Peter Brennan (@BrennanSurgeon) December 2, 2020
Checked & double checked but bottom slid backwards & slipped down the wall from 18 ft
Lots of injuries & multiple fractures. Just feel lucky to be alive
Can’t praise our NHS colleagues enough for their amazing ongoing care to date pic.twitter.com/Oh4izszatn
Thanks so much for all the kind messages after posting about my injuries this wk
— Peter Brennan (@BrennanSurgeon) December 5, 2020
Most terrifying 2 seconds of my life & thought I was going to die. Back to hospital on Mon to get the latest
Can’t wait to do the planned festive Santa & HF webinar on 22/12
Details to follow!! pic.twitter.com/mLsN3Rj0Mj
For 1st time since my accident felt able to go & look at the scene & face the demons
— Peter Brennan (@BrennanSurgeon) December 12, 2020
You can see tracks made by top of ladder as I tried to push in to slow descent
Thanks for so much support during my darkest hours
Life goes on & will be back tweeting positive messages soon!! pic.twitter.com/3nJcTrk0vQ
Prof Peter Brennan is an Elected Council Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and Chair of Council at the British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is lead editor of the latest Gray’s Surgical Anatomy textbook, and has collaborated with the National Air Traffic Services, British Airway’s captains and the Red Arrows in various national human factors initiatives to improve patient safety.
For advice and guidance on the safe use of ladders and stepladders visit the Ladder Association.