AN air ambulance paramedic was surprised on national television with a special award for his dedication to his lifesaving work.

Laurie Phillipson, 36, from Wickford, thought he was going to work as usual at the Earls Colne airbase, just outside Colchester, when Dr Hilary Jones from Daybreak and a camera crew from the show surprised him yesterday morning.

The paramedic, who has worked at the base for ten years, was nominated to be one of Dr Hilary’s Health Heroes for his outstanding service to the air ambulance service and his teaching in the local community.

Laurie has completed more than 1,000 missions for the air ambulance and helped save many lives, including that of Danny Williams, 14, from Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, whose left arm and leg were crushed in a lorry crash.

Laurie said: “Danny was such a hero with the way he dealt with the situation.

“When we got to the scene of Danny’s accident, it was awful. I wasn’t sure how much work we would have to do because it looked bad. He had been properly run over by the lorry.

“We gave him some really strong painkillers and he kept his sense of humour throughout the whole thing. We kept him chatting and kept him calm.

“There was a strong possibility Danny might have lost his leg, and its great now to see him recovering. It’s a lovely side to the job.”

Laurie, is married to Kelly and has two children Leander, six, and Lenny, three.

Speaking about appearing on Daybreak, he added: “At first I thought it was a total wind up.

“I knew some filming was going to be going on at the hangar, but I was told it was for another TV show. Then I heard Dr Hilary say my name and I thought they were faking it.

“Only when they led me into the hangar, where all my family and friends were, did I realise I was live on television and it wasn’t a wind up.

“To have been nominated for the award was lovely and I gladly accepted it on behalf of all my hardworking colleagues.”

Laurie, who is studying for a masters degree in critical care, said even after ten years he still loved the job.

He added: “Knowing that in an air ambulance you can offer life-saving treatment to someone is really important. Its a job that really keeps you on your toes and you have got to keep a cool head.

“It is an amazing job – I love it.”