A WOULD-be paramedic who suffered horrendous facial injuries after a horse kicked him in the head has stunned college tutors by excelling in his studies.

Matthew Oates, 20, from Stockton, was kicked in the face by his girlfriend’s horse just two weeks before he was due to start a Social Care course at Middlesbrough College.

He attended induction sessions just days after leaving hospital with a wired jaw and numerous stitches to his head – determined to see his studies through.

Now the dedicated student has earned himself the title of Higher Education Student of the Year at Middlesbrough College’ annual Student Awards.

The student was praised by his tutors for completing assessed work on time and attending classes despite his injuries, and now he will go on to study a BSc Paramedic Practice degree at Teesside University.

His tutor, Paula Bednarz-Withers, curriculum team leader of part time programmes, health care, said: “There’s no doubt he will be an excellent paramedic practitioner in the future.”