A LLANDYSUL farmer whose father’s life was saved by the Wales Air Ambulance is now planning on becoming a paramedic.

In 2007, the ambulance was dispatched to Penrhiwllan where farmer Raymond Murphy, who had been moving sheep on his farm, was trapped under a trailer.

After loading his sheep onto a trailer, Mr Murphy found to his horror that the brakes had failed, and he was helpless as the fully-laden vehicle slid down a steep bank and trapped him underneath.

The Ceredigion farmer suffered severe injuries, including several broken ribs, requiring fast emergency medical treatment.

After receiving treatment, Raymond made a full recovery and was able to return home to his farm.

“It was a very scary situation,” he recalled. “I was suddenly trapped in a steep bank under a trailer full of sheep. Thankfully, somebody nearby heard me shouting, and called the emergency services.

“The Wales Air Ambulance was there so fast and the crew were brilliant. They took such good care of me and had me in hospital very quickly. I couldn’t praise them enough.”

Raymond’s son, Nathan, who now aims to become a paramedic, raised funds for WAA in the years following the accident.

“I was aware of the Wales Air Ambulance charity before the accident, and have always thought that they were brilliant,” he said.

“At the time of the accident, I was quite young and it was a scary time. Wales Air Ambulance were there so quickly and took care of my dad.”

In 2008, Nathan and his friends took part in a six-hour CPR marathon in aid of the Welsh helicopter charity, helping to raise the £6m a year needed to keep the service’s helicopters flying.