Richard Periam hit by own model train, suffers broken back, donates £20k

Richard Periam was enjoying his large-scale model railway at his Warwickshire home when a train veered off the track and fell on top of him, leaving him with a broken back and multiple fractured vertebrae. He received emergency care at the scene before being taken to hospital by The Air Ambulance Service, where he spent seven weeks recovering from his injuries in 2011 at the age of 76.

The rescue in 2011 left a lasting impression. After the accident Periam became a committed supporter of The Air Ambulance Service, donating £39,850 over several years, and he later left a further £20,000 gift in his will. Richard died in September 2024 aged 88, and his gift to the service was pledged when his will was executed in December.

The charity described his bequest as significant. The Air Ambulance Service said he was “leaving behind a legacy of kindness, community spirit and quiet generosity - and a gift that will help save countless lives.” Lynda Copson, of the service, added, “We were deeply saddened to hear of Richard's passing and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.” Copson also said, “We are incredibly grateful for the generosity he showed to the service,” and that “Gifts like Richard's help ensure that we can be there for others facing their darkest and most unexpected moments.”

Periam’s family stressed how central the rescue was to their gratitude. His son, William Periam, said, “He was really grateful to the crew that went out to him and after his accident, he realised how essential it was to everyone,” adding, “My father and our family were and are forever grateful,” and, “They saved his life.” The family account also noted that, despite the severity of his injuries, Periam never lost his sense of humour and remained deeply grateful to the crew who came to his aid, the charity said.

Published images provided by the family underline his love of the hobby. One family handout photo shows a smiling Richard Periam sitting on the rear carriage of a model train, wearing a checked shirt and blue trousers, the rest of the railway carriage red with a yellow radiator. A second family handout photo shows him smiling, wearing glasses with short grey hair, a checked shirt and a green jumper, a plant in an Asian-style pot visible behind him.

Periam’s donations and bequest, documented by the charity and family statements, sum to the amounts reported: £39,850 given over several years followed by a £20,000 legacy pledged when his will was executed in December, a financial legacy the service says will support future lifesaving missions.