A COUPLE from Okehampton, who are lucky to be alive following a horrific motorcycle accident, have paid an emotional visit to the paramedics who played a vital role in saving their lives.

Vince and Andrea Vanstone were riding their Yamaha 1100cc motorcycle on October 6, 2013 when they collided with a Land Rover on the A386 near Mary Tavy. They both suffered life threatening injuries and were airlifted to Derriford Hospital by the Devon Air Ambulance.

The couple spent months in hospital recovering from their injuries. Now back home, the couple paid a visit to the the Devon Air Ambulance Trust headquarters in Exeter and met the paramedics who saved their lives.

Andrea called the experience over-whelming. 'It was amazing. These people go out day and night and they don't even know you and they save your life. And they are a charity. These people are amazing. It was very touching, humbling and a truly amazing thing.'

Sue Hutt is a family friend and was present when the couple met up with the air ambulance team. She said: 'It was a very emotional day for Vince and Andrea. They had a chat with the paramedics about what happened.

'For the both of them, the accident is very vague in their memories so they filled in a lot of the blanks and explained things to them. Meeting them was was a lovely experience for them and a very emotional one.'

In the autumn of last year, Vince and Andrea's family organised a party celebrating their survival and to raise money for the Devon Air Ambulance Trust. The raffle at the party raised over £1,600 for the charity.

Sue said: 'The party was a real celebration of their survival and a great way to thank the Devon Air Ambulance for their amazing work.

'The support we received from local businesses was tremendous and we really appreciate that.'

Andrea said: 'To this day I don't know how we survived, it should have been fatal. But here we are, thanks to the support of friends and family, and we are both on the road to recovery.

'Vince is walking on sticks again and I am getting my strength back. We are moving forward.'

Sue expressed thanks to Okehampton Golf Club, Endacotts Bakery, the Okey Cokey, Rockhens Coop, Trudy's Hairstylist, Lew-trenchard Manor, Winkleigh Cider, Merlin Cinemas, Eastcott Vineyard, The Tors in Belstone, beautician Lauren Hooper and Maxam Photos for their kind support of the raffle.