MARK Emsden is looking forward to the happiest day of his life thanks to the skill and dedication of medical teams at Ipswich Hospital.The 25-year-old police constable today told of the debt he owes to the doctors and nurses who rescued him from the brink of death after he was injured in a motorcycle crash.

MARK Emsden is looking forward to the happiest day of his life thanks to the skill and dedication of medical teams at Ipswich Hospital.

The 25-year-old police constable today told of the debt he owes to the doctors and nurses who rescued him from the brink of death after he was injured in a motorcycle crash.

Pc Emsden, who is based at Woodbridge police station, sustained terrible internal injuries when his motorbike collided with a car in Ipswich.

Now, as he looks forward to marrying his fiancée, Tracy Squirrell, on April 6, Pc Emsden has shown his gratitude by donating more than £1,000 to the critical care unit that saved him.

He said: “They kept me alive, no doubt about it. I would have died from blood loss if it was not for them.

“I can't remember much about the accident. I remember being in the ambulance going to the hospital and being in hospital and being given medication. I didn't know how serious the injuries were until I woke up after having an operation.”

The crash occurred on October 24, 2004. However Pc Emsden was kept sedated for more than a week afterwards.

He said: “I woke up on November 3 and my dad, David, asked me what day it was and I thought it was October 24.

“He told me I had a major artery broken off one of my kidneys, I had severed my liver and my lungs had collapsed. I had a huge 18 inch scar across my belly.”

While under sedation Pc Emsden underwent two emergency operations, lost a kidney and had to be put on a life support machine after getting a lung infection. He remained in the intensive care unit for six days.

He said: “During my two-week stay in Ipswich Hospital I was cared for by some of the most dedicated people I have ever met. I thought my job was hard before I watched what the doctors and nurses have to do every day and it wasn't only me they cared for, it was my family as well.”

Pc Emsden, a police officer for just under four years, went home to be nursed back to health by Tracey, until he returned to work around five months later.

He decided to raise money for the critical care unit by scaling the Rock of Ifach, a 1200ft landmark in Calpe, Spain.

Pc Emsden said: “I did it because a great uncle of mine did the same climb a year before for Cancer Research, so I chose to do it as well.

“Anybody that has been a patient or has had a relative cared for at the unit will understand why I feel I owe them so much and that's why I decided to do the climb.”

After successful completing the task in last autumn last he has now handed over the cheque for £1,094.

It is hoped the money may be used to fund a mobile ventilator unit and specialised training for staff on the unit.

N Do you owe Ipswich Hospital a debt of gratitude? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk