A FARMER who was saved by air ambulance paramedics after a near-fatal accident has helped to raise more than £17,000 for the service.

Adam Brown, who runs Dairy House Farm, in Great Holland, was seriously injured in 2009 when the blade of the angle grinder he was using cracked.

The force sent Adam tumbling to the floor while still holding the machine, with the blade leaving a serious gash in his neck.

The blade sliced through muscle and missed his jugular vein by millimetres.

Completely alone at the time, Adam managed to call 999 as he started to go into shock and the Essex Air Ambulance rushed a crew of paramedics to his side.

He was flown to Romford where specialist surgeons removed metal shards from Adam’s neck and patched him up.

Adam said: “I’ve never really dwelled on it, but it was a close call. Paramedics were with me in minutes and they were concerned because my jugular was exposed through the cut.

“It cut deep, but remarkably it missed my tendons and nerves.”

Adam made a full recovery and pledged to raise cash to support the service which saved his life.

Last year, he completed the three peaks challenge with a group of friends and fellow farmers, scaling Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in 22 hours to raise £13,000.

Adam added: “We did a fair bit of training and the actual challenge was tough, but a lot of fun.

“We were stunned and absolutely delighted with the total we raised. Everyone has been phenomenally generous in their support.

“I wanted to thank the crew and help others. The money raised will pay for my flight and help them go out to save other people too.”

The total was then boosted to more than £17,000 by a charity ball held by the Tendring Hundred Farmers Club.