Vet thought his friend was going to die.

HONITON Band is to stage a charity concert - to thank the Devon Air Ambulance Trust for saving one of its member’s friend’s lives.

Vet and musician Richard Brain was cycling with a friend on Dartmoor last October when his friend was critically injured following an accident.

But, thanks to the air ambulance’s quick response, he was soon in the intensive care unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital.

“My friend had two collapsed lungs and a back injury that, unfortunately, is likely to give him permanent problems,” said Mr Brain.

“He was on a ventilator for over a week and it was touch and go.

“An ordinary ambulance would not have saved his life.

“I was expecting him to die at any minute, but the care he received from the air ambulance crew was superb. He was whisked off and in hospital within 10 minutes of the helicopter arriving.”

The concert, All in an April Evening, will feature music for all tastes and include an octet from The Sheldon Singers, of which Mr Brain is also a member.

It will be held in St Paul’s Church at 7.30pm on Saturday, April 2.

Tickets cost �6, with children under 12 free, and are available from Wine World, HSBC, New Street Vets and on the door.

PHOTO: Vernon Whitlock