A VILLAGE cabinetmaker has made an amazing recovery after severing his hand in an horrific accident in his workshop.

Malcolm Pipes could have bled to death after the accident at his workshop at Carlton Husthwaite, near Easingwold. But the skills and speed of Yorkshire Air Ambulance staff not only saved his life, but also his left hand after a 13-minute mercy dash to Leeds General Infirmary.

After his hand had been successfully sewn back on, Malcolm set himself a big target – to be able to hold a pint of beer in it by Christmas, a goal he has already achieved.

Malcolm, 63, who trained at the famous Robert “Mouseman” Thompson workshops at Kilburn before setting up his own enterprise several years ago, described how he was suddenly distracted while operating a circular saw in his workshop. “I thought I was going to bleed to death,” he said.

Now, he is playing a key part in an auction to raise money for the air service, whose quick-thinking paramedics saved his hand by putting it in a bag of frozen peas. A collection of bespoke furniture is to go under the auctioneer’s hammer at Tennants’ Auctioneers in Leyburn on Saturday – all made by members of the exclusive Thirsk Furniture Trail craftsmen.

A cabinetmaker for some 48 years, Malcolm’s logo of a fox’s head is carved on to all his pieces of work and he has high hopes of returning to his workbench.

Despite his experience, the one thing he remembers about his helicopter dash was being able to flying over Leeds United’s ground at Elland Road. “It was a marvellous experience, even though I was in such trauma,” said Malcolm.

“I realise how lucky I was to have got to the hospital so quickly. The air medical crew, the pilot, and all the hospital staff were absolutely fantastic and I am so grateful to them.”

Saturday’s could raise £2,000 for the ambulance service, which regularly flies accident victims from North Yorkshire to hospitals in Leeds, Middlesbrough and Hull.