Rebuilding a Face, Restoring a Life: How 3D Printing Gave Dave Richards a Second Chance

Dave Richards, a 75-year-old cyclist from Devon, England, became the symbol of resilience and technological triumph after surviving a devastating accident that left his face severely damaged. In July 2021, what began as a peaceful cycling trip with two friends on a sunny afternoon turned into a nightmare when a drunk driver, distracted by his mobile phone, lost control of his vehicle and plowed into the group. While Richards’s friends were thrown clear of the car, he was trapped underneath it, suffering horrific injuries as half his body was crushed and the other half was burned by the engine’s heat. His face was left unrecognizable, and his life changed forever in a matter of seconds.