A MAN has launched a desperate search to find two heroic RAF pilots who saved his life three decades ago. 

Robert Smith was born in West Berlin in 1987 and had to be transferred to the UK to receive life-saving treatment after an urgent call was put out to the army. 

Three decades on, Robert and his family are now keen to say thanks to the two remaining pilots from the three-man crew. 

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At the time, local doctors were so worried about the ‘blue baby’s’ heart condition the decision was made to allow him to die in his mother’s arms. 

Refusing to give up, his family sought help from the army and they immediately set up transport from London. 

But, disaster struck when the Queen’s Flight had to pull out of the journey due to fog on the day. 

The family sent out a desperate call to any planes in the area who could save his life. 

Their prayers were answered by medical pilots from the RAF Hercules who were on a training mission in the area.

The three-man crew rushed him back to Bristol and he was then transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital in London where he received life-saving treatment. 

The Gazette:

An original newspaper clipping from the time 

Robert’s mum Bridget, who was forced to wait in Berlin for two days after Robert was transferred, said he owes his life to the pilots. 

She said: “Doctors told me he died a few times. It was just an incredibly difficult time - especially for me, as I wasn’t able to be with him for the first few days.

“We owe Robert’s life to the pilots. They were incredible and even phoned my mum to tell her that everything was okay and they had gotten him to Bristol.

“It was such a harrowing experience and we are so grateful for what they did for us.”

A couple of weeks after saving Robert’s life, the pilots even returned to Berlin to present his dad, who was based in the city with the army, with a Hercules stuffed toy for him. 

While unfortunately one of the pilots, Dick Ludford, is believed to have passed away, there are still hopes Mike Cole and Graham Thorne can be found. 

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Robert, who lives in Lochwinnoch with his partner and his 10-year-old daughter Danielle, still has to attend hospital on a yearly basis.

The Gazette:

Robert says his daughter Danielle wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the pilots 

The 31-year-old said: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for them and Danielle wouldn’t be alive.

“We’ve never been in touch and I just want to say thank you to them.”

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