TWO members of the ambulance service have been honoured for the lifesaving treatment they gave to a young woman involved in a horrific motorbike accident.

Anita Hill and Angela Betts were first on the scene to treat motorcyclist Kerry Waters, who lost part of her right leg in a crash, in Brays Lane, Canewdon, in June.

Their initial, vital treatment meant Kerry survived after being airlifted to King’s College Hospital in south London for emergency trauma care.

Their actions were among many inspirational stories of bravery and outstanding contribution to the region’s ambulance service at its latest Ambulance Excellence Awards ceremony at the Manor of Groves Hotel in east Hertfordshire.

Anita, an emergency care assistant, said: “The ceremony was amazing. It was a privilege to be thanked by a patient and it’s nice to be recognised by the trust for going above and beyond what’s expected of you.

“You don’t do the job with the expectation of getting an award, but it’s lovely when you do get that bit of recognition. When you turn up to a job you expect the worst, but when you come face to face with something like that you tend to go into autopilot to save a patient’s life. You don’t reflect on it until afterwards.”

Anita, who met Kerry after the accident, added: “Kerry was very lucky to be alive. I kept in contact to keep up on her progress. She is an amazing girl who never lets anything get in her way.”

Colleague, Angela, 31 from Thorpe Bay, is an emergency medical technician with the service.

She said: “It was a really nice evening. It’s good to be recognised.

We all work really hard, but it’s nice when one job stands out. It was really nice to meet with Kerry again.”

Kerry, who attended the award ceremony, said: “I am just so proud of them and can’t thank them enough for what they did for me. They are amazing at their jobs. It was great to see them at the awards. They did an amazing job that day and they are just lovely, lovely people.”

Dr Anthony Marsh, chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust gave Angela and Anita their chief officer commendation, saying how proud he was of those who “do their very best to give high standards of patient care”.

He said: “We have celebrated committed and hard-working staff, dedicated volunteers, and members of the public and emergency service colleagues whose actions were courageous and inspiring.

“It is people like this who, in doing the very best they can for patients and the work of the service, make me feel very proud and I’d like to thank each and everyone one of them for what they have done.”