Manchester Arena bombing survivor Martin Hibbert has treated the paramedic who saved his life to a day out at Wembley to watch their beloved United.
Martin, 46, was paralysed after the May 2017 terror attack when 22 shrapnel wounds left him with a severed spinal cord.
His daughter Eve, then 14, suffered a devastating brain injury also caused by shrapnel from the bomb, which killed 22 concertgoers.
The life-long fan and an Old Trafford season ticket holder was at Wembley on Sunday when United beat Brighton and Hove Albion on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final, and Paul was his guest.
Martin, now a forceful voice and campaigner for disabled people,said: “It was a great day. It was the first time Paul was at Wembley as well.”
He became friends with the paramedic following a TV documentary on the atrocity, when they learned they were both United fans.
Martin credits Paul with saving his life because he made a crucial decision to take him to Salford Royal Hospital, which has a major trauma unit, and to administer a blood clotting agent to prevent him bleeding to death.
He said if the paramedic had followed instructions to take him to Wythenshawe Hospital in south Manchester, he would have died.
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Martin has also taken Paul as his guest to a number of matches at Old Trafford since they became pals.
Sunday’s result means Martin can now deliver on a vow the take Paul to an FA Cup final, when United will play Manchester City in the showpiece back at Wembley on June 3.
He said: “It wasn’t just about football. It was about love and friendship and what good can come out of a bad night.”