A DORSET and Somerset air ambulance paramedic has won a prestigious award.

Mark Williams who has worked with the air ambulance for the past nine years was named Air Ambulance Paramedic of the Year in the national Air Ambulance Awards of Excellence 2018.

The awards, which were hosted by TV presenters Richard Madeley and Angellica Bell, are independently judged and recognise pilots, clinicians and fundraising teams who go out of their way to help those in need.

While travelling home from a family trip to the coast, Mark and his wife, who are both paramedics for the South Western Ambulance Service, came across five critically injured patients involved in a serious crash.

The pair treated the seriously injured and enlisted help from members of the public before and after the emergency services arrived.

Mark said: “I feel absolutely privileged to receive this award. It was amazing to be nominated and I didn’t think for one minute that I would win, as there were so many other worthy nominations. To be with my wife and air ambulance colleagues on the evening made it evermore special. I am completely overwhelmed; it was very emotional and a very proud moment indeed.”

The Dorset and Somerset air ambulance team was shortlisted for the Special Incident Award for their involvement in helping a female trapped underneath a carnival float in Chard.