A Kent-based NHS 111 Health Advisor who was violently assaulted nearby his home has been reunited with the ambulance team who came to his aid.
Martin Lopez, from Ashford, was walking home in the early hours of 8 May after watching a football match in London, when he was attacked from behind.
The assault left him in and out of consciousness, bleeding heavily, and with multiple injuries, including a double shoulder fracture, head trauma, facial wounds, and damage to his ribs.
A passerby quickly called 999 and Resource Dispatcher, Olivia Manchester coordinated the urgent response, sending ambulance crew Martin Wright and Jonathan Shaw to the scene.
The pair cleaned Martin’s wounds and assessed the full extent of his injuries before transporting him to William Harvey Hospital for further treatment.
Just seven weeks later, Martin met face-to-face with Olivia, Martin, and Jonathan to say thank you in person and learn more about what happened from their perspective.
“I don’t remember everything from that night and have a 10–12-hour gap in my memory, but I do know I wouldn’t be here recovering if it weren’t for them,” Martin said. “It means a lot to be able to say thank you in person.”
Paramedic Jonathan said: “It was a pleasure to see Martin again and his family. I was shocked to learn what actually happened to him on the night we attended to him. Wishing Martin the best of luck in his recovery and hopefully he can make it to an Arsenal game soon!”
Olivia said, “As dispatchers, we’re all ears and no eyes, so it was incredible to finally meet Martin in person after such a frightening incident.”
Emergency Care Support Worker, Martin added: “It was genuinely a lovely surprise to hear that Martin was recovering well, and even better that he wanted to meet in person.”