The doctor severely injured in the Airport Rescue Service helicopter crash that took place exactly one week ago near Wroclaw, southwestern Poland, finally started to speak today.

According to doctors treating the man, that today he regained consciousness and was able to speak almost right away.

“From day to day, the conditions of his health are clearly improving,” stated Zdzislaw Cekiera, spokesperson for the Military Hospital Clinic in Wroclaw, where the doctor is being treated. Cekiera added that medical providers are quite surprised at how quickly the patient began speaking after coming out of his state of unconsciousness.

The injured doctor, Andrzej Nabzdyk, will also undergo hyperbaric pressure therapy – therapy using oxygen at higher levels than found in the atmosphere – at the Academic Hospital Clinic in Wroclaw. This specialized therapy will speed up the patient’s healing process.

The helicopter crash took place on 17 February while flying to the rescue scene of an accident on the A-4 highway. The helicopter crashed before reaching the scene due to extreme weather conditions, including snowfall and heavy fog. Two people were killed immediately upon impact. Nabzdyk was able to dial the 112 European emergency number before losing consciousness. (mmj)

Related Story: Helicopter crashes while on rescue mission, thenews.pl, 17 February 2009.