A PARAMEDIC and police officer who risked their lives to help a little girl shot by her father have been recognised for their efforts.

Seven-year-old Mary Shipstone, pictured below right, was fatally injured as she walked home from school.

Chris Matthews and Sgt Kendal Wells were among the emergency workers called to the scene after the incident in Northiam, near Rye.

The youngster had been shot in the head by her father, Yasser Alromisse.

A cordon had been put up around the house while officers waited for an armed response unit.

However, Mr Matthews and Sgt Wells risked their safety to make their way to the house before the unit arrived.

They battled to stabilise the youngster and then brought her out to an ambulance before she was taken to hospital in London.

Unfortunately the little girl died from her injuries but the pair had managed to ensure her mother was able to say goodbye to her.

Mr Matthews has been given an above and beyond the call of duty award at the annual South East Coast Ambulance Service (Secamb) awards.

Sgt Wells was given a commendation from the trust’s chief executive.

Mr Matthews is among a number of Secamb staff and volunteers to be recognised for their achievements and long service.

The trust chief executive Paul Sutton said: “It is important that we recognise the achievements and dedication of staff who continue to provide an outstanding service to the public despite the ever-changing environment that we live and work in. As well as the long service awards, this year it has been very rewarding to see so many commendations for our staff, volunteers, emergency service colleagues and members of the public.

“I am also pleased that so many community first responders picked up awards as they are a vital part of the service and they are extremely dedicated people.

“It is important to note that the achievements we recognise at our awards are just a snapshot of the outstanding patient care which is being delivered day-in, day-out across our region.

“When you get a call to attend a job involving a child who has suffered a traumatic injury you are going to pull out all the stops to do what you can.”

This is exactly what Hastings paramedic Chris Matthews and Sgt Kendal Wells from Sussex Police did when they were assigned to a call which involved a seven-year-old girl who had been shot.

Mr Matthews was on his own when he got the call to attend an address at a village near Rye.

He said: “As I arrived I was informed that police were advising us to keep back until they were sure that the scene was safe. 

"However, I wasn’t happy to wait due to the nature of the emergency. It was clear to me that this young girl was going to need our help.

"We knew that the gunman was close by in a car with blacked out windows and might still be armed but with the armed response unit some time away, we needed to do something.”

Sgt Wells and Mr Matthews decided to dash for the house and were met by the young girl’s mother.

Mr Matthews said: “The young girl’s injuries were very severe. It was a difficult scene.”

The pair worked together to give the girl every possible chance.

Mr Matthews said: “Kendal’s help was invaluable. I couldn’t have done what I had to do on scene without him. He just got on with it and did everything I asked of him.”

Trust clinical operations manager Tim Fellows, who nominated the pair for an award, said: “Carrying out this difficult and highly skilled procedure on a young girl with a head trauma, is very challenging.  They both did a fantastic job with no thought for their own personal safety.

“They were completely focused doing what they could for this young girl.”

Despite knowing the gunman was still close by, the pair carried the young patient to an ambulance and the youngster was taken to a London hospital.

However, despite all the efforts, the girl died. Mr Matthews said: “It was a very difficult job but I’m glad we took the decision to go in because what we were able to do was give this young girl’s mother a chance to say goodbye to her daughter.”

It also allowed the child’s mother to donate her daughter’s organs to other sick children.