LYDNEY Hospital Fete gave a Forest teenager the opportunity to personally thank the doctor who helped save his life following a serious car accident.

Saturday's annual fund-raiser for the hospital was the first time that Louis Turner had met Dr Steff Scheuner, who is based at Blakeney Surgery.

Louis was in a Vauxhall Corsa being driven by his friend Adam James between Whitecroft and Lydney when the car struck a pothole and ended up plunging 20ft down an embankment.

The accident, which happened near the Dean Forest Railway's Norchard centre at around 1.50pm on Monday, March 16, was spotted by PCSO Peter Timmins who took both 18-year-olds to hospital.

Dr Scheuner helped stabilise Louis' condition before he was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by air ambulance.

At the time of the accident, Forest police inspector Steve Chester, said PCSO Timmins' swift and sensible actions probably kept Louis alive.

The friends are now raising funds for the hospital and air ambulance and are also involved in a road safety campaign.

After speaking to Dr Scheuner, Louis said: "It was extremely special to be able to thank him.

"Without him there on the day to stabilise me during my seizures I wouldn't be here.

Dr Scheuner modestly told Louis: "It's what we're here for."

Louis and Adam brought a 'sled' that enabled people at the fete to experience an impact at just 7mph.

Louis said: "Me and Ad crashed at 45mph and if you take the effect of that (the 7mph impact) and times it by a lot more the effects can be terrible.

Speaking about the incident, he said: "We don't know what happened because it happened so fast.

"I think we hit a pothole and the kerb and dropped 20 feet into a tree and that's all I remember because I passed out.

"Since I woke from the coma, the progress I've made and the change in life is unbelievable.

"Everything you take for granted like going for a walk and things you do on a regular basis for me, now, is 'wow.'

"I might not have done this ever again. Everything is just fantastic."

Opening the fete with Adam he told the large crowd: "Lydney Hospital means a lot to me and Ad because four months ago we were involved in a very serious car incident and without having a hospital close I would not have survived the car crash."

They are also producing a video stressing the importance of being careful when driving.