A COURAGEOUS dad-of-three who fell down from a rock formation will never forgot the unassuming heroes who helped save his life.
Imran Choudhury, 36, was training for a walk up Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa in aid of the Royal Oldham Hospital and charity, Global Relief Trust, by scaling The Trinnacle on Saddleworth Moor on February 23.
But Imran, who ran the Pink Pearl in Newton-le-Willows and is well-known in the area, blacked out and fell 200 metres from the three-pronged gritstone stack perched on hills at Ravenstones near Dovestones.
The alarm was raised by two passersby and an 18-strong team from Oldham Mountain Rescue Team (OMRT) rushed to the scene where he was winched from the bottom of the crag to a waiting Yorkshire Air Ambulance and flown to Sheffield's Northern General Hospital intensive care unit for urgent medical treatment.
Initially there were fears he may lose his right leg but after work by surgeons his leg was saved.
One of the two rescue helicopters involved
Members of the team tucking into the meals
Despite being wheelchair bound from his injuries, kind-hearted Imran delivered 50 chicken biryani and 10 vegetable biryani meals to the rescue team’s headquarters on Sunday as a personal thank you.
They were provided by his family's business, New Polash Takeaway in Chadderton, Oldham.
Workers at the New Polash Takeaway in Chadderton before meals were delivered to Oldham Mountain Rescue Team volunteers
An OMRT spokesperson said: “It is testament to his spirit and character he was able to make the journey to Greenfield to pass on his thanks in person. Although he has a long road ahead, he is determined to be back hiking the Saddleworth hills, and is already talking of a fundraising walk for OMRT.
“It is always good to hear from the casualties we have helped, especially when they have progressed as far as Imran has from what was a very serious incident. Thank you for the delicious biryani, and all the best for a full recovery, from everyone at OMRT.”
Imran said: "Me and my family wanted to show our appreciation for the what the hospital and the mountain rescue team did for me.
"The rescue team will say they were only doing their duties but if they didn't find me I wouldn't be here today."
OMRT chairman Justin Parkinson added: “Imran has got some distance to go, but his positive attitude and approach will get him there and it was a pleasure to see him again.”
Imran and his family also delivered 280 chicken biryanis to the Northern General Hospital in Sheffield in April as well.
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