HEROIC paramedics have been praised by police after saving the life of a stab victim who was minutes from death.
Police were called to a flat in South Shields just two days before Christmas last year, after a man had been savagely beaten and stabbed.
Incensed thug Michael Wilson almost killed his victim over accusations that he had made advances towards his girlfriend.
In a fit of rage, the 30-year-old inflicted three knife wounds and rained down punches – before kicking the man down a flight of concrete stairs.
Now, after Wilson was last week jailed for nine years, police have praised the dedicated ambulance staff who carried out an emergency
(open-chest surgery) close to the scene – which kept the victim alive.
Paramedics carried out the life-saving procedure inside the ambulance, just yards from the scene – a flat in Whiteleas Way, Whiteleas – before taking the victim to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) for surgery.
Paul Liversidge, deputy chief executive at North East Ambulance Service (NEAS), said: “In the event of a major trauma, such as a stabbing, every second counts.
“As well as being able to call upon specialist trauma skills within our own service, we work closely with Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) to ensure we’re able to provide an enhanced clinical service to those patients who require it.
“In this instance, we were able to request the additional clinical skills of our GNAAS colleagues, which meant that together we were able to perform this life-saving procedure before arriving at hospital.”
Det Sgt Aidan Hall, of Northumbria Police, said: “There is little doubt that the victim of this horrific attack would have died had it not been for the outstanding actions of paramedics at the scene.
“We are proud to work hand-in-hand with all our blue light partners, and this was an example of us all working together to not only ensure the victim survived, but ensure the person responsible was put behind bars.
“Michael Wilson is a dangerous individual who could so easily have been faced with a potential murder charge. His victim had to have open heart surgery and was hospitalised for a week.”
Last week, at Newcastle Crown Court, Wilson, of no fixed abode, admitted wounding with intent (and unrelated charges of shoplifting and affray) and was sentenced to nine years behind bars.