A man who could smell his flesh burning as the plane he was flying went up in flames has revealed the daily routine he does to help him ‘survive’ through the pain.
As the scent took over, Jamie Hull knew he had a life or death decision to make.
The former SAS soldier, who was 32 at the time, had been flying a small two-seater aircraft as part of his pilot’s license training when the engine sparked on fire.
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Surrounded by flames, he made the heart-stopping decision to clamber out of the cockpit and onto the wing, where he leapt 15ft to the ground.
He was left with irreversible injuries, including disfiguring burns to 63 percent of his body.
And, despite an uncertain road to recovery, he’s come back stronger than before; and now walks at least five-miles-a-day, seven-days-a-week, for his own “survival”.
“I was a man dying, as I lay smouldering in the long tropical grass,” the 51-year-old, from Bedfordshire, told Need To Know.
“I crawled back from that over many years.
“But, ultimately, it taught me not to take this second version of life for granted.
“I made a conscious decision early on that I would do everything in my power to be the best version of myself possible.
“So, I’m tough on myself and I don’t let up with that self-pressured attitude.
“I tell myself I must walk, come rain or shine, light or dark.
“Sometimes, time permitting, I walk up to 13 miles one go.
“Some would call it obsession, but, for me, it’s simply survival.”
Jamie’s ordeal took place in August 2007.
He suffered internal injuries, a ruptured large intensive, lacerated liver, multiple fractures; including his nose, both eye sockets, clavicle, two ribs and left hand index finger – all in addition to his burns.
Jamie said: “In essence, I made it out by the skin of my teeth.
“I jumped while I was still on fire head-to-toe.”
Following his recovery, he tried his hand at the dating scene; though was met with the stark reality of his new situation.
He said: “I never really used to have an issue with dating, as I was a reasonably good looking guy.
“So girls were naturally a bit more attracted to me.
“I’m still not bad looking – but obviously when you have that kind of injury, then you’re physically marked by it and stand out for that reason.
“I’ve thought about it and I think it stigmatises you to a degree.
“For example, a woman might still find you somewhat attractive, but are you the kind of guy they would want to be seen out in public with?
“Am I someone they would comfortably introduce to their friends or family?
“I have dated and been in a couple of relationships since the ordeal, but I’m currently single.
“And I don’t mind it.
“It’s not easy to find a good match in a girlfriend and someone accepting of the way I am with a few battle scars.”
While he’s placing focus on his own well-being for now, and tries not to let the incident define him, it’s not always so easy to avoid.
He said: “I’ve certainly had preferential treatment when I’ve bought something in the shops.
“I’ve gone to pay at the till and been offered 15 percent off the marked label.
“So I guess I’m good to go shopping with.
“I’ve had the same in restaurants, where the bill has been less than what I thought.
“When I looked at the receipt, I’ve got a military discount
“There are certainly those with goodwill and intent in their hearts – and that fills me with joy.”
Jamie still travels a lot, mostly by plane, despite having the risks involved at the forefront of his mind.
He added: “I guess calculated risk is the price we pay for living the opportunities that are presented to us in life.
“If you think about it, we take risks everyday.
“But the rewards are well worth the effort.”
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