Lifesaving Crew Receive Pride of Birmingham Award

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s critical care paramedics; Steven Mitchell and Karen Baker, along with pilot Richard Steele, accepted a Pride of Birmingham award on Thursday 20th April, for their lifesaving intervention, when a pregnant lady was stabbed in Sutton Coldfield, in March 2016. 

Natalie Queiroz from Sutton Coldfield, was eight months pregnant when she was stabbed 24 times, leaving her with life-threatening wounds, and major blood loss. 

The Midlands Air Ambulance crew who helped to save the life of Natalie Queiroz and her unborn baby accepted the Pride of Birmingham Emergency Services Award for their heroism, and incredible skill under extreme pressure.

After receiving the initial 999 call, Helimed03 from the RAF Cosford airbase was immediately dispatched to the scene with a three-man crew - Dr Ravi Chauhan, critical care paramedic Steven Mitchell and pilot, captain Richard Steele.

Pilot Richard landed the air ambulance helicopter safely on the High Street, as close to the patient as possible, and once mother and the unborn baby were stabilised at the scene, Natalie was in the air ambulance on her way to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. A journey which would have taken over 30 minutes in a land ambulance, took just eight minutes by air. 

Immediately upon arrival, 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 amazingly survived.

The aircrew joined by Natalie, 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.”

View the nomination video on Youtube.