HIS heart was pumping, he was nervous - but David Dews put his pain aside to face the fears that had haunted him since he almost died in a helicopter crash more than 20 years ago.

David, who was seriously injured in the crash while serving with the Army in 1985, took to the skies in a sponsored ride to raise funds for the Great North Air Ambulance.

He even took the controls of the Bell 47 aircraft as he exorcised the ghosts of the horrific crash.

The ride, at Sherburn Aero Club, was the first time he had been in a helicopter since suffering severe spinal injuries and broken legs in the crash in South Armagh, Northern Ireland, in October, 1985.

David, 43, of Wenham Road, York, is in constant pain and he has to take up to a dozen painkillers a day to make life manageable. He was serving with the Royal Fusiliers at the time of the accident, and he said he felt he was back in the army for a second when the pilot banked to the left and right.

But he said the greatest thrill - aside from raising hundreds of pounds for the life-saving air ambulance - was when he took control of the helicopter himself.

"It was absolutely fantastic," he said. "I was nervous when I was getting in and as it was taking off, but once I was up it was OK.

"We banked to the left and to the right and performed a fly-past at full speed. It brought back good memories and I think I might have put a few ghosts to rest.

"It was great, especially when the pilot said I could take over the controls. It felt like I was back in the forces again."

Anyone who wants to raise cash for the Great North Air Ambulance should phone 01325 487263.

Updated: 09:57 Thursday, November 25, 2004