Now family and friends of the 22-year-old from Gildercliffe are raising money to say thank you to the air ambulance crew who ensured he got to hospital in minutes of being freed from his car.

Scarborough hairdresser Claire Saunders is leading the fundraising effort and is being helped by other businesses in the town.

Karl was driving to Darlington College, where he is training to be a journalist, for a shorthand examination when his car flipped over.

Firefighters pulled him unconscious from the wreckage and he was flown to James Cook Hospital by the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He was given emergency treatment for internal bleeding, a shattered shoulder blade and serious cuts down his left arm and chest.

Karl, who spent three weeks in hospital, said: "My car came off the road, hit a metal gate and turned upside down. I can't remember anything much but the emergency services turned up very quickly. I was inside the car for an hour while firefighters cut me out and then they put me inside the air ambulance, because it would take only eight minutes to fly, as opposed to the 40 minutes to drive. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance, along with the other emergency services, helped to save my life."

Police reports say there was nothing to suggest Mr Hansell was speeding and he had not been drinking.

He said: "Apparently it is an accident black spot. There had been two other crashes there that month."

His ordeal prompted hairdresser Claire to organise a fundraising day at her Feenix salon, in Princess Street.

Her assistant, Kiri, is Karl's sister, and the reason why the campaign came about.

Mrs Saunders said: "Karl survived his accident, and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helped that happen – but it could have been anyone out there. I wouldn't want it to be one of my sons in that situation and the air ambulance couldn't make it because of lack of funds."

Her campaign is on-going and people are invited to keep donating money at the salon.

She said she hoped people would "dig deep".

Other businesses have donated prizes to a raffle, drawn by Mr Hansell.
Karl's mum, Tracy, said: "What Claire has done is beyond what anyone can expect in this day and age – with it being Christmas and the credit crunch.

"The money she would normally take is a big part of her earnings. But its a cause she believes in, and all credit goes to her."

Director of fundraising, Paul Gowland, said the Yorkshire Air Ambulance needed £7,200 a day to keep the aircraft flying.

He said: "It's fantastic that someone who has been rescued, remembers us, and goes on to help us, and ultimately another patient who needs us.

"Every penny counts to help reach the target we need every year. A big thank you to everyone who has donated."