Rochford paramedic attended crash involving wife and children

Paramedic James Palmer recommended his son Sidney, five, for a bravery award after the youngster helped his sister get out of the car

An NHS paramedic has been speaking about the "horrifying" moment he was called out to a crash involving his wife and children.

James Palmer said his heart sank when a colleague said his loved ones were involved in the incident.

They had been driving from their home in Rochford, in Essex, when the vehicle they were travelling in was struck by a reversing car.

Mr Palmer told BBC Essex: "It was a scene of absolute carnage".

The paramedic, a leading operations manager at the East of England Ambulance Service Trust, was informed what had happened by a dispatcher.

"My heart just sort of sunk; I don't think there are any real words for it," he said.

"For someone in the service who knows the potential repercussions of any form of car accident, that was absolutely horrifying to hear."

The Palmers' family car narrowly missed the front of a house after it was reversed into at speed

Mr Palmer's wife Megan, 32, and their two children, had been on their way to his mother-in-law's house when their vehicle was hit.

The car was struck with such force a suspension wishbone snapped and both airbags were deployed, filling it with dust.

Mr Palmer said when he arrived at the scene the first thing that greeted him was his son and daughter walking towards him with a paramedic.

He added: "No-one expects to see their children coming away from a car like that, it was quite horrific the damage that was caused.

"To see them both walking towards me was amazing; it was perfect."

Following the incident, which resulted in no serious injuries, Mr Palmer recommended his son Sidney for a bravery award - and his boss agreed.

The five-year-old had unbuckled his and his sister's seatbelts while their mum looked for her glasses, which had been knocked off by the force of the airbag.

He had then taken his sister's hand and led her to safety.

"He did everything we could have ever wished for him to do," added his dad, who said his son had been "further inspired" to seek a career in the emergency services.