WEST Ham United forward Michail Antonio paid a special visit to Essex & Herts Air Ambulance’s (EHAAT) North Weald airbase to meet the crew who played a crucial role in his care following a serious road traffic collision. The reunion was filmed by the BBC for their Morning Live television show and is expected to be broadcast on Monday 7th April helping raise awareness of the vital pre-hospital emergency service provided by the charity.
On Saturday 7th December 2024, EHAAT’s pre-hospital care doctor, Dr James Moloney and critical care paramedic, Rob Moon attended the scene alongside East of England Ambulance (EEAST) paramedics, Essex Fire & Rescue crew, and Essex Police, all working together to safely free Michail from the wreckage of his car. Driving the rapid response vehicle (RRV) to arrive at the scene within minutes of receiving the dispatch call, James and Rob quickly assessed Michail’s injuries, identifying significant damage to his right leg and expressing concern about a potential brain injury due to his confused state. They administered pain relief, treated his leg injuries, and stabilised him for transfer to a major trauma centre in London.
During the journey, via ambulance, the EHAAT clinicians remained by his side, monitoring him and ensuring a thorough handover to emergency department doctors upon arrival. Their swift and expert intervention meant Michail received immediate treatment, helping to save his leg and minimise long-term effects.
As part of a BBC Morning Live series exploring coping with trauma and recovery, Michail visited EHAAT’s airbase to meet James, Rob and patient & family liaison nurse, Trish Burton who is part of the team providing aftercare support and advice to patients and their families long after the initial emergency.
After meeting the team and being shown around the base, Michail expressed his gratitude for the care he received saying:
“I really can’t remember much about the accident—or even the hours before it and the days afterward. Meeting James and Rob has been incredibly helpful in filling in some of the blanks for me. I can’t thank the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance team enough for everything they did that day. Seeing the wreckage of my car, I know things could have been far worse without their expertise.
Meeting them again and learning about the incredible aftercare the charity provides through the Patient & Family Liaison Team has been truly eye-opening. Knowing that EHAAT is a charity relying on donations to continue this vital work makes it even more important for people to support them however they can.”
James reflected on the reunion, highlighting the impact these meetings have on both patients and the crew:
“As frontline clinicians we play a vital but relatively short part in a patient’s journey, attending to them when they are at their most seriously ill or injured. That’s why reunions like this are so valuable—it gives us a chance to see the progress they make. Meeting Michail again and seeing how well he is doing was fantastic.
It’s also important to recognise that every emergency response is a team effort. Without the support of the other emergency services at the scene—paramedics from EEAST, Essex Fire & Rescue, and Essex Police—we wouldn’t have been able to do our job. Their quick actions played a crucial role in Michail’s care, and we’re grateful to have such strong partnerships.”
EHAAT continues to provide life-saving care across Essex, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding areas. As a charity reliant on donations, public support is essential to keeping the service operational.
To learn more about EHAAT or to donate, visit ehaat.org
Michail Antonio’s visit to Essex & Herts Air Ambulance was broadcast on Monday 7th April and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0029slz/morning-live-series-7-07042025
