A RETIRED Royal Naval Reserve Commander, whose 5,500-mile walk around the UK was put in jeopardy when she fell and seriously injured her arm, has thanked staff from Valero Pembroke for coming to her rescue.

Commander Jane Allen had already completed 4,300 miles of her Victory Walk - raising money for two Royal Navy charities - when she fell in a field outside the refinery’s perimeter fence.

Unable to retrieve the emergency whistle in her back pack, Cdr Allen’s cries for help were thankfully heard by Peter Stubbins, a contractor with Wilson James.

“I heard someone shouting ‘help me’ and when I looked up the field she was on the floor with her hand in the air,” said Peter Stubbins.

“She had been there about 10 minutes, but said it felt like hours.

“She had tried to walk back to the gate but kept passing out from the pain.”

William Rogers and Paul Houghland, part of the refinery’s first response team, arrived at the scene soon after and administered a gas pain relief.

Cdr Allen was then taken in the refinery ambulance, driven by fire protection specialist Ray Scott, to meet paramedics.

At Withybush Hospital Cdr Allen was diagnosed with a severe dislocation of her right shoulder and a chipped humerus bone, and had to undergo surgery.

Cdr Allen said: “I am not sure that I could have continued for much longer and it was sheer relief when the rescue truck arrived.

“They were brilliant, I was in so much pain.

“I have walked in the most precarious situations across the country, and can’t believe I fell in a field and did so much damage.”

Ray Scott said: “Cdr Allen was very brave to cope with the amount of pain she was in.”

Valero public affairs manager Stephen Thornton added: “Valero’s safety personnel are trained for every eventuality within the confines of the site.

“But this incident goes to show their skills and experience can be applied anywhere, including helping the public.”

After several weeks’ recuperation in nearby Milford Haven, Cdr Allen re-started her walk on Wednesday, April 17, waved off by Valero staff.

To follow her journey, which is raising money for the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity, visit victorywalk17-18.uk