Ansko Pitkanen – who has starred in the likes of Barbie and Batman – was riding when she was hit by another vehicle
A stuntwoman who starred in films such as Barbie and Batman broke 12 bones in a motorcycle crash. Ansko Pitkanen, 46, was riding a motorcycle on Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire, when she was hit by another vehicle.
Ansko was airlifted to Southmead Hospital, Bristol, in just 15 minutes and within three minutes of arriving was already receiving a full body scan to assess her injuries. It was here that it was discovered Ansko had sustained breaks to both ankles, arms, legs and five ribs after the July 19, 2024 incident.
Spending several weeks in Southmead Hospital recovering, she also underwent three surgeries to repair broken bones and a more recent procedure to remove some screws, pins and plates, was discharged in August 2024, but required rehab at home and says she “continues to strengthen” her body two years on.
She was finally able to return to work as a stunt performer – for which she is known for roles in the Barbie movie and Batman – in Autumn 2024. Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity pilot Simon, doctor Rosie, and specialist critical care paramedic Matt were on the scene in just 11 minutes from take-off thanks to them receiving the What3Words location during the call. What3Words is an app that provides a way to communicate very precise locations.
Before Ansko was airlifted, doctor Rosie and specialist critical care paramedic Matt delivered enhanced critical care to stabilise her condition, deliver medication and support her leg to prevent further damage. Ansko, from Harefield, London, says: “I don’t really remember much if I’m completely honest.
“I remember seeing the headlights on the right hand side but they were so close there is nothing I could have done. I think I remember the noise but the next moment is emptiness and all I could feel and think about was the horrendous pain in my chest and it was becoming harder and harder to breathe.
“I knew in a matter of seconds I was going to pass out. I have no memories after that, my next memories are in hospital.”
Ansko remembers waking up in hospital and being unable to move either of her arms, as well as seeing both of her legs strapped. She said: “I couldn’t feel anything from the waist down and thought ‘was I paralysed?’ or ‘am I going to be in a wheelchair?’ It was really confusing.
“On top of all the physical there is the psychological side. I can’t really put things together but somehow my mum was called. I was telling my mum I was in Germany and having a great time. It was clarified by staff that I was in hospital.
“At the hospital I was semi with it and realised my memory wasn’t there and doctors properly sorted me out with brain scans to figure out what was going on. In rehab the whole brain thing was scary, really, really, scary, because I thought my brain had been permanently damaged.”
With her memory challenges, Ansko reached out to the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity’s aftercare service where she was put in touch with specialist critical care paramedic and aftercare manager, Louise Cox.
Louise said: “In a 999 call to the ambulance service, the person taking the call starts by identifying the needs of the patient.
“They are not a clinician so it goes from a where, who, what is happening to a series of questions that identify the priority of getting help.
“The first question of ‘where is the emergency?’ starts a cascade of actions identifying the appropriate response. It’s either done with a postal address or if it’s a rural location as Ansko’s was use they can use What3Words.
“Basically, imagine a three-metre square identified by three words passed and inputted by the ambulance service – it’s literally for us like dropping a pin on the map.”
The system has divided the entire world into a grid of 57 trillion three-metre-by-three-metre squares, and assigned each one a unique three-word combination, known as a what3words address. This means everywhere on earth – from a parking space and front door to a stadium entrance and spot along a hiking trail – has its own address.
Ansko began rehabilitation after her injuries and began using a walking frame just weeks into her recovery. “When I got home I needed the help of other people,” she says.
“I was not able to do anything but personally in my career I am consistent with training. Even if I could move my finger 2cm I would move it 2cm until I could move it 3cm.
“I had amazing physiotherapy help with everything. I had incredible help from all the nurses and carers at the hospital and after that physiotherapists, osteopaths, lymphatic therapy, oxygen therapy, personal trainers and nutritionists.
“I had the best of the best care. I tried to be patient and get back on my feet as soon as possible”.
Louise says Ansko’s significant injuries and the trajectory of her recovery was “quite remarkable”. Ansko was able to return to work in autumn 2024, and continues to work on strengthening her body.
“Training is what I do for a living and a part of my job but it was a bit of a detour into deeper training,” she says. “I was mentally conditioned for that already and it definitely helped with my recovery.
“I’m not doing the things I used to do before. I’m selective in the jobs I choose.”
Louise helped Ansko reunite with the team who cared for her that day on June 16, 2025. “Seeing the specialists helped fill in the gaps that way of what actually happened,” Ansko says.
“It was really important and the Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Service makes me really emotional, they are the reason I’m here and alive today”.
