‘I didn’t know if he survived’: Quadriplegic reconnects with life-saving heroine

It’s a sound Lesley Cotter will never forget.

Around 10pm on the night of 15 August in 1988, she heard a loud bang outside her and her husband’s farm in Ōwhango. Lesley thought it may have been a cattle truck but, when she opened the front door, she could hear a man screaming and crying.
 
Around a hundred metres from her home, a car had crashed into a ditch and through their fence, onto their property. The car was upside down, there were two men inside and it was clear one was seriously injured. 

The men were travelling to Ohakune for a weekend of skiing and the driver had fallen asleep at the wheel. Jason Ross was sitting in the passenger seat and had broken his neck in the accident. 

Lesley says her neighbour called for an ambulance while she ran down the road to help. 

The driver was in a state of panic. He was unharmed but was crying and trying to get Jason out of the mangled wreck. 

“I saw Jason get out of the car and then he just collapsed,” says Lesley, who was 38 when the accident happened. 

“I knew straight away he’d done some serious damage, so we just tried to stabilise him and made sure no one moved him or laid a finger on him until the ambulance arrived.” 

‘It left a big hole in my life’

Lesley and her husband had to restrain the driver, who wanted to pick Jason up and help move him. 

Around 25 minutes later, the ambulance arrived, and Lesley went with Jason to Taumarunui Hospital for emergency surgery. 

“I didn’t know if he was going to make it,” she says. 

“He was in a really bad way but I was trying to help him stay calm and get the help he needed. It was touch and go.” 
 
Jason was lucky Dr David Hay was on duty that night and waiting for him. He rushed Jason straight into surgery and stabilised his neck. 

Jason spent four days in intensive care. He was later transferred to Middlemore Hospital in Auckland and his long rehabilitation journey began. He went on to spend seven months in the Auckland Spinal Unit. 

“His accident was a traumatic event to be part of,” Lesley says.

“I’d always wondered whether he’d survived. I had no idea, so it left quite a big hole in my life.” 

ACC helps forge successful career 

Following his accident, Jason became the first quadriplegic to complete a Bachelor of Civil Engineering at the University of Auckland. He received a standing ovation at his graduation ceremony.

He’s gone on to have a successful career. 

Jason says ACC has played a leading role in his rehabilitation and is proud of what he’s achieved since that day.

“The support of ACC has been a big part of my life – they’ve always been there and helped me start again,” he says. 

“Just because you’re in a wheelchair, your life isn’t over. There’s still so much you can do.”

Local newspaper prompts emotional reunion

Fast forward to last week and the Ruapehu Bulletin ran a story about Jason’s incredible recovery.

Lesley read the heart-warming story and knew instantly it was the young man she’d helped 36 years ago. 

“I was very emotional that whole day after reading his story,” she says. 

“I’m still emotional about it. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read it. I felt so proud of Jason and what he'd accomplished in that time.” 

The 74-year-old local called Robert Milne, the editor of the Bulletin, to explain her connection with the story. 

Later that week, Jason called to talk to her for the first time since the accident. 

Lesley says the phone rang and Jason asked if she knew who it was on the other end of the line.

“I knew straight away,” she says.

“I was delighted he rang me. It was extremely special to talk to him. I’ve still got goosebumps just thinking about it. It was quite healing for me, just talking to him about all the things he’s achieved since that night.” 

‘I’m forever grateful for what Lesley did’

The pair talked for around 30 minutes on the phone and Jason thanked Lesley for everything she’d done for him in his time of need. 

He believes she saved his life.

“Imagine if she’d never come out when she heard the noise and they didn’t find me until morning. I probably wouldn’t be here today,” he says.

“I’m forever grateful for what Lesley did for me that night and it’s been an incredible experience reconnecting with her after all this time.”
 
Lesley also filled in a few blanks from that night which Jason was unaware of. 

They’re planning on meeting for the first time since the accident this year.

“That will be really special,” Lesley says.

“To see him in person and give him a hug will be an amazing moment. Life is so precious and I’m so proud to be just a small part of his story.”