The moment Paul met the Warwick heroes who saved his life

Van driver Paul Mizen, who lives in Ashford, thanked paramedics at Warwick Ambulance Station for the emergency treatment which changed his life.

Paul, aged 49, said: “I remember the impact and then the fear and reality of being trapped. I suffered serious burns and was in excruciating pain. I will be eternally grateful for the emergency treatment that I received

“I think ambulance service staff do a wonderful job that usually goes unheralded, and I am extremely fortunate not to have lost my life in that crash - in my eyes they are true unsung heroes.”

The crash happened in snowy weather on the M40 near Gaydon in November last year.

Mr Mizen’s van was hit from behind whilst stationary, and immediately caught fire. He suffered extensive burns to his arm, head and torso, as well as inhalation burns, before being dragged from the vehicle by members of the public.

Paramedic Andy Hall was in the first ambulance crew on the scene.

He said: “The crash was a scene of utter carnage - the van was on fire in between two HGVs. Mr Mizen had been pulled from his vehicle but it was obvious he was seriously injured. We treated his burns and eased his pain with morphine. Stabilising his condition was vital.”

After giving Mr Mizen emergency treatment, the paramedics made the vital decision to take him straight to the West Midlands Regional Burns Centre at Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The van driver also wanted to thank staff at QE hospital, where he spent three months. He has since returned for specialist treatment, including multiple skin grafts.

“They have been magnificent,” he said, “and I don’t think my treatment could have been any better.”

Martyn Scott, West Midlands Ambulance Service Area Manager for Coventry and Warwickshire South, said: “It’s great to see that Mr Mizen is doing so well after what was a horrific accident.

“It is always special when a seriously injured patient comes in to say thank you personally.”