Assaulted man reunites with ambulance crew

Martin Lopez reunited with the ambulance team who came to his aid after he was assaulted

A man who was badly injured in an assault has reunited with the ambulance team who came to his aid.

Martin Lopez, from Ashford in Kent, was left with a double shoulder fracture, head trauma, facial wounds and damage to his ribs after being attacked near his home in May.

An urgent response crew of Martin Wright and Jonathan Shaw were sent to the scene by resource dispatcher Olivia Manchester after a passer-by called 999.

The crew, who transported Mr Lopez to William Harvey Hospital for further treatment, has since reunited with their patient face to face.

Mr Lopez, an NHS 111 health advisor, was attacked as he made his way home after watching a football match at a screening in London.

'Frightening incident'

He said he was thankful for the help of the ambulance crew as he could not remember everything from the night of the attack.

"I have a 10 to 12-hour gap in my memory, but I do know I wouldn't be here recovering if it weren't for them," he said.

"It means a lot to be able to say thank you in person."

Ms Manchester, who works for the South East Coast Ambulance Service, 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."

Mr Wright, an emergency care support worker, added: "It was genuinely a lovely surprise to hear that Martin was recovering well, and even better that he wanted to meet in person."

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