A BIKER who spent four weeks in a drug induced coma after smashing into a bus has met the paramedic who saved his life.
Ashly Kirk was given little chance of survival when his Yamaha 125 struck a First Group bus in Black Notley in June.
The 23-year-old forklift driver, who was on his way to work in Cressing, spent three months in hospital with a lacerated liver, a fractured pelvis, a shattered kneecap and in need of an urgent operation to remove his spleen.
He was transported from the scene of the accident to the Royal London Hospital by the Essex Air Ambulance and this week, at the airbase in Earls Colne, he met Laurie Phillipson, the paramedic who helped save his life.
"He was such a nice and friendly person and explained what he saw when he arrived on the scene of my accident," said Ashly, who lives in Springfield, Chelmsford, with his mother Fran.
"He told me how I looked, what drugs I was given and how they decided what hospital to send me to.
"My mum started to cry when she hugged him and I must admit I was starting to well up.
"He took us out to see the aircraft and showed me some of the kit I was hooked up to when they put me into the aircraft.
"I couldn't stop thanking him for the great work he does and his reply was 'I'm just glad I could help'.
"It amazes me how humble the crew are and I'm really glad they do the work that they do, as without them I would not be here today."
Laurie added: "Ashly was one of those patients that through the efforts of everyone involved in his care, was brought back from the brink of death – nobody expected him to survive.
"It's with cases such as Ashly's that all the efforts of the people of Essex to raise funds to keep the air ambulance flying add up and become so vital.
"Ashly is an inspiration. He and his family have been through an horrific ordeal and I believe his speedy recovery is as much to do with his positive attitude and the support of his loving family as his medical care."
Visit: www.essexair ambulance.uk.com.
