W. Bro Philip Turner

During the evening of Wednesday 19 January W. Bro Philip Turner suffered a major fracture to his ankle outside the Esso garage in Midsomer Norton on his way to a meeting of Connaught Freemasons Lodge. His injury proved to be so severe that he was flown direct to Southmead Hospital in Bristol, by the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance. Such was Philip’s injury that the doctor on board the helicopter operated during the flight and saved his foot from being amputated. He later spent six hours in theatre having the bones reassembled.

A Good Samaritan, a Mr Andrew Emmett, had seen Philip’s plight and immediately offered assistance, and stayed with him, even though the paramedics had arrived on scene, until he saw Philip safely away in the ambulance to meet the helicopter that had landed on the nearby cricket pitch. Fortunately for Philip, the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance has the capability of flying during the hours of darkness. Philip spent three weeks in Southmead before being discharged home under the care of his GP and wife Mary.

On Wednesday 16 March the Lodge hosted Andrew Emmett and his partner Beth Selway, with WM Neil Arthur presenting them both with gifts in appreciation of Andrew caring of Philip. And in recognition of the timely treatment by the Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, Connaught Lodge made a £1,000 donation that Philip and Mary had the pleasure of personally presenting to local fundraiser Ken Hutton.