Jay Vernon ignored his injuries to help other victims of the LFC Parade crash
Jay Vernon ignored his injuries to help other victims of the LFC Parade crash
A paramedic who was hurt when a man ploughed his car into hundreds of football fans in Liverpool city centre has spoken of how he shook off his own injuries to rush back to help those caught up in the chaos. Jay Vernon was not meant to have been on duty at Water Street when Paul Doyle drove his car into Liverpool FC fans celebrating their club’s title win back in May.
The 34-year-old from Aigburth had been on shift as a cycle response lead to get pedal bikes with ambulance kit around the parade event in the city centre. Within hours, he found himself caught up in traumatic scenes as Doyle, 54, from West Derby, drove his Ford Galaxy into the crowds.
More than 100 pedestrians, ranging from children aged as young as six months to a 78-year-old woman, were injured after being struck by a Ford Galaxy on Water Street shortly after 6pm on Monday, May 26, as what was meant to be a day of joy turned into scenes of devastation and terror. A total of 50 casualties required hospital treatment in the aftermath of the shocking incident.
Doyle is to be sentenced for his crimes this week and has been warned to expect a lengthy custodial stay. Speaking about his experiences on that day in May, Jay said it had begun as a day like any other.
He said: “I was part of the business as usual team so the idea for us was to be responding to patients who weren’t directly involved with the Liverpool parade incident because there’s significant pre-planning and resources and that goes into that. It was felt that they had adequate resources and clinicians to dedicate the time to the Liverpool parade crowds and the bus itself, so we were predominantly in and around the city centre on the pedal bike.”
Jay, a Liverpool fan, said there had been a “sea of red and white” in the city centre on that day which he described as being in high spirits. He added: “There was a really good vibe around Liverpool and it was a really good day, despite the weather, up to around 6pm.”
Jay said he was drawn to Water Street after a call went out over the radio for additional resources after the bus had passed the area amid reports of a suspected cardiac arrest. He said: “I made the decision to get off the pedal bike and I was pushing the bike itself.
“There was a police sergeant to my right and I was walking to the left-hand side to the passenger side of the ambulance. We were creating that space moving the crowds dispersing so that the ambulance could get down quite freely.
“I had to do that on foot as I just felt it was unsafe for me to still be sat on the saddle of a pedal bike in such a large crowded area.” Moments later, pandemonium broke out and Jay, used to responding to those in need, became a victim of Doyle’s actions.
“As I was walking in front of the ambulance, I was struck with almighty force from behind, which has then sent me flying over to the right hand side and I landed in the gutter on Water Street.
“As I’ve put my hands out to brace myself, there were a number of people around me and on the floor. As I’ve looked left I’ve seen a car and I’ve then seen the car’s reverse lights come on and start heading back up towards Water Street.
“I immediately thought ‘I’m in the middle of a terrorist incident.’ I was very vulnerable because I didn’t have a vehicle to sit in.
“I jumped up off the floor and then out of the way and I’ve watched the car then reverse with some speed and which resulted in the car hitting the front of the ambulance.”
Jay sustained cuts and grazes to his hands and legs having worn shorts as a cycle-based paramedic.
“I had a quick look around and made sure I was okay, as well as I could be, there were no broken bones or anything for me because running high on adrenaline, you can quite easily miss your own injuries
He said: “I started attending to some patients. There was a point in time when the vehicle then moved again, so this all happened really quickly.
“The vehicle then moved and it headed back down towards Water Street. I actually feared for my safety.
“I had passed some emergency messages via the emergency button but I felt really vulnerable.” Jay took a moment to collect himself in the back of an ambulance before helping people with young children to give them a safe space.
He retrieved his equipment as people were shouting about casualties being trapped under Doyle’s car and off-duty medics had stepped in to help. Jay recalled pushchairs on their side and people laying on the ground.
“Yes I was struck, yes I had some minor injuries but ultimately you just switch to ‘I’m there as a paramedic and I’m there to help people.’
“Ultimately, the adrenaline and that desire to help people just kicked in and that I think that’s what got me through. I think having those people there and the injured people getting first class treatment so quickly after being injured was ultimately a game changing effort.”
Doyle appeared in court last month wearing a black suit and glasses with slicked back greying hair. He broke down in tears as he was rearraigned and admitted all of the counts on the indictment. His sentencing will begin today (Monday) and is expected to take two days. He has been warned he faces a length prison sentence.
