'I was injured but just quickly to paramedic switched mode... I knew I had to help the victims'

A PARAMEDIC who was hurt when a man ploughed his car into hundreds of football fans in Liverpool city centre has spoken of how he shook off his own injuries to rush back to help those caught up in the chaos.

- By DAVID HUMPHREYS

Jay Vernon was not meant to have been on duty at Water Street when Paul Doyle drove his car into Liverpool FC fans celebrating their club's title win back in May.

The 34-year-old from Aigburth had been on shift as a cycle response lead to get pedal bikes with ambulance kit around the parade event in the city centre.

Within hours, he found himself caught up in traumatic scenes as Doyle, 54, from West Derby, drove his Ford Galaxy into the crowds.

More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from children aged as young as six months to a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being struck by the Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 6pm on Monday, May 26, as what was meant to be a day of joy turned into scenes of devastation and terror.

A total of 50 casualties required hospital treatment in the aftermath of the shocking incident.

Doyle is to be sentenced for his crimes this week and has been warned to expect a lengthy custodial stay.

Speaking about his experiences on that day in May, Jay said it had begun as a day like any other.

He said: "I was part of the business as usual team so the idea for us was to be responding to patients who weren't directly involved with the Liverpool parade incident because there's significant pre-planning and resources that goes into that.

"It was felt that they had adequate resources and clinicians to dedicate the time to the Liverpool parade crowds and the bus itself, so we were predominantly in and around the city centre on the pedal bike."