A TREE surgeon who owes his life to ambulance crews got a chance to say thank you on Wednesday morning. Sean Mallon, 37, from Leaden Roding survived a 40ft fall because of a quick response by a combination of crews including the Essex Air Ambulance. Mr Ma

A TREE surgeon who owes his life to ambulance crews got a chance to say thank you on Wednesday morning.

Sean Mallon, 37, from Leaden Roding survived a 40ft fall because of a quick response by a combination of crews including the Essex Air Ambulance.

Mr Mallon fell whilst working on a tree in Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood, on March 13 last year sustaining multiple injuries.

Mr Mallon said: "I have been a tree surgeon for 17 years, on that day I was rushing against time to get a job done and even though I used all the correct harnesses I didn't clip in one carabina correctly and found myself falling 40ft with my chainsaw."

Mr Mallon sustained multiple injuries to his legs including a dislocated left hip, fractured shin bone, fused bone in both ankles, hamstring muscle disconnected from his femur, and his right knee had to be rebuilt entirely using titanium.

After three weeks in hospital, including several operations, he spent a further nine weeks in a wheelchair.

Paramedics Louise Edney and Claire Bishop from the East of England ambulance service were the first to arrive on the scene.

Mrs Edney said: "When we arrived we immediately called for air ambulance backup due to the seriousness of the injuries.

"We managed to administer pain relief before placing him on a longboard stretcher to immobilise his body for safe transportation."

At around 1pm the Essex Air ambulance team arrived led by Emergency practitioner Glen Butcher who was responsible for transporting Mr Mallon to Queens Hospital in Romford.

Both paramedics and Mr Butcher were personally thanked by Mr Mallon on Wednesday morning at Rayleigh ambulance station.

He said: "I am still having physiotherapy for my injuries and have been back to work on lighter duties.

"I climbed a tree for the first time just after Christmas to ensure I had no mental effects from the accident like vertigo.

"It is difficult to know what to say to the crews that helped me because without them I may not even be here, just a really big thank you."

His survival was credited to the skill, dedication and teamwork by Simon Eatherton, general manager for the east of England ambulance service.

He said: "This is an excellent example of teamwork provided by our services and we really do appreciate Sean taking the time to thank us, we are all really pleased to hear he has made a good recovery.