A YOUNG man who suffered multiple fractures after being kicked in the face by his horse has met with the paramedics who treated his injuries.

Matt Oates had enjoyed a day out at Stokesley Show with his girlfriend, Beth Robson, before heading over to give her horse, Larry, a ride out in the autumnal sunshine last September.

What started out as a fun day almost ended in tragedy when something spooked Larry and he lashed out with his hind legs, smashing the 20-year-old flush in the face.

“We had had a lovely day and we thought it would be really nice to finish it off by taking Larry for a trot around the field,” he said. “To be honest, I have no idea what happened – something obviously spooked him because he is usually so placid or playful – the next thing I can remember is being in an ambulance and being taken to hospital.”

Today, he heard the panicked 999 call for the first time since he suffered the horrendous facial injuries at at Spring House Farm in Sadberge, near Darlington.

Mr Oates was initially taken to University Hospital North Tees for further examination but was then blue lighted to the Maxillofacial Surgery team at James Cook University Hospital, where he underwent several hours of facial surgery to repair damage to his chin, jaw and eye socket.

He said: “I couldn’t remember speaking to the call handler until I heard the recording today – I’m so thankful that the ambulance got here as quickly as it did.”

And Mr Oates, of Stockton, met up with the paramedics the day after he learned he had been accepted as a paramedic student at Teesside University, added: “Everything was broken – my chin was split in half, both jaw joints were in bits and the palette cracked through the middle. My eye sockets were pushed in and I had a metal plate on my teeth.

“It’s taken some time but I’m now back to normal and just so thankful to be here.

“When I first came round I was obviously on a soft food diet which was horrible as I had lost me sense of taste as a result of my injuries. Once the sensation came back and I was able to eat solid foods I treated myself to a steak on New Year’s Eve to celebrate.”

His girlfriend, Beth Dobson said: “I was really shocked when I saw Matt’s injuries but I’m so thankful that he was treated so quickly and is now back to normal.”

Paramedic Carol Anne Wilkinson, emergency care assistant Daniel Stephens and call handler Michelle Manson, met up with the pair at the farm to share their experiences.

Ms Wilkinson, who joined North East Ambulance Service 12 years ago, said: “Poor Matthew was covered in blood when we arrived so it was hard for us to be able to see the extent of his injuries properly. After spending some time on the field with him, we got him into the ambulance to clean him up and properly assess and treat him.”