AN EMOTIONAL reunion gave a Milnthorpe boy the chance to say grateful thanks to the paramedics who helped save his life.

When Billy Smith, who is now 14, became unwell one evening, his mother Sheila rang for medical advice and after describing his symptoms, emergency medical technician Mark Wiley and paramedic Hayley Duxbury arrived on the scene within 15 minutes.

They quickly diagnosed a case of sepsis, a life threatening condition, but prompt treatment kept Billy out of danger and he eventually made a full recovery.

And when relieved mum Sheila contacted the North West Ambulance Service to offer her personal thanks, that moving reunion was arranged.

“They were wonderful,” said Mrs Smith.

“They were so professional and so assured, and we just had to thank them.”

The drama began that evening when Dallam School pupil Billy said he felt cold and later vomited,but Mrs Smith said Billy, who has coeliac disease and also has Down’s Syndrome, did not appear particularly ill and at bedtime they read a book together.

But the following morning, his legs buckled under him and it was clear there was a serious problem.

The paramedics immediately suspected sepsis, which is caused by bodily reaction to infection, and after treating Billy accordingly, he was whisked to hospital.

It was touch and go for a time, but he made a full recovery for which he offered grateful thanks this week.

“The ambulance crew were fantastic with Billy,” said Mrs Smith.

“He doesn’t like anybody fussing over him or anything near his face or arms.

“They talked to Billy and reassured him and built up an amazing rapport with him.

“It was confirmed very quickly at hospital that Billy had sepsis and we were told there was a chance he might not make it.

“Billy knows he nearly died, his sense of understanding is not fully there but he does know how poorly he was.”

The reunion was organised by North West Ambulance Service as pat of their campaign to educate people on when to ring 999.

To view an NWAS video of the story, click here