Jay Vernon described being hit by Paul Doyle's car before helping others
David Humphries and Carrington Walker GAU Writer
09:46, 15 Dec 2025Updated 09:47, 15 Dec 2025
Jay Vernon
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Paul Doyle's sentencing will begin on Monday (December 16)(Image: PA)
An off-duty paramedic, struck by Paul Doyle after he rammed his car into Liverpool FC fans celebrating the club's title win in May, treated his own injuries before rushing to support others.
Doyle stands accused of injuring more than 100 people after driving his Ford Galaxy into the large crowd of people, ranging from as young as six months to a 78-year-old woman, with around 50 requiring hospital treatment.
On May 26, Jay Vernon had been on shift as a cycle response lead to get pedal bikes with an ambulance kit around the parade event in the city centre and found himself engulfed in the chaos as 54-year-old Doyle, from West Derby, began his rampage.
paramedics Matt Hall (left) and Jay Vernon, who were one of the first on the scene when Paul Doyle drove into football fans at Liverpool FC's victory parade on May 26
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Paramedics Matt Hall (left) and Jay Vernon, who were one of the first on the scene when Paul Doyle drove into football fans at Liverpool FC's victory parade on May 26(Image: Copyright Unknown)
The thirty-four-year-old paramedic explained to the Liverpool Echo how the supposedly joyous day turned to tragedy after beginning like any other.
“I was part of the business as usual team, so the idea for us was to be responding to patients who weren’t directly involved with the Liverpool parade incident because there’s significant pre-planning and resources and that goes into that," Jay explained.
"It was felt that they had adequate resources and clinicians to dedicate the time to the Liverpool parade crowds and the bus itself, so we were predominantly in and around the city centre on the pedal bike.”
Doyle is to be sentenced for his crimes on Monday (December 15) and has been warned to expect a lengthy custodial sentence.
Jay, a Liverpool fan, described how there had been a “sea of red and white” in the city centre, all in good spirits as they celebrated their team's achievement of lifting the Premier League trophy.
“There was a really good vibe around Liverpool, and it was a really good day, despite the weather, up to around 6pm.”
Paul Doyle
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Paul Doyle's sentencing will begin on Monday (December 15)(Image: PA)
A call requesting more personnel went over the radio, alerting the first responder to Water Street after the team's bus had passed the area, with reports of a suspected cardiac arrest.
“I made the decision to get off the pedal bike, and I was pushing the bike itself," he told the Echo.
“There was a police sergeant to my right, and I was walking to the left-hand side of the passenger side of the ambulance. We were creating that space, moving the crowds, dispersing so that the ambulance could get down quite freely.
“I had to do that on foot as I just felt it was unsafe for me to still be sitting on the saddle of a pedal bike in such a large, crowded area.”
Just moments later, Jay would find himself amongst a frenzy of fans and as a victim himself.
“As I was walking in front of the ambulance, I was struck with almighty force from behind, which has then sent me flying over to the right-hand side, and I landed in the gutter on Water Street.
“As I’ve put my hands out to brace myself, there were a number of people around me and on the floor. As I’ve looked left, I’ve seen a car, and I’ve then seen the car’s reverse lights come on and start heading back up towards Water Street.
“I immediately thought, ‘I’m in the middle of a terrorist incident.’ I was very vulnerable because I didn’t have a vehicle to sit in.
“I jumped up off the floor and then out of the way, and I watched the car then reverse with some speed, which resulted in the car hitting the front of the ambulance.”
paramedics Matt Hall (left) and Jay Vernon
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Around 50 people were treated for injuries after the incident(Image: PA)
Jay sustained cuts and grazes to his hands and legs, having worn shorts as a cycle-based paramedic.
“I had a quick look around and made sure I was okay, as well as I could be, there were no broken bones or anything for me, because running high on adrenaline, you can quite easily miss your own injuries.
“I started attending to some patients. There was a point in time when the vehicle moved again, so this all happened really quickly.
“The vehicle then moved, and it headed back down towards Water Street. I actually feared for my safety.
“I had passed some emergency messages via the emergency button, but I felt really vulnerable.” Jay took a moment to collect himself in the back of an ambulance before helping people with young children to give them a safe space.
Jay gathered his equipment and began to help the casualties scattered around him, with some having been trapped beneath Doyle's car. Jay recalled pushchairs on their side and people lying on the ground.
"Yes, I was struck, yes, I had some minor injuries, but ultimately you just switch to ‘I’m there as a paramedic, and I’m there to help people.’
“The adrenaline and that desire to help people just kicked in, and that, I think, is what got me through. I think having those people there, and the injured people getting first-class treatment so quickly after being injured, was ultimately a game-changing effort.”
Last month, Doyle appeared in court, reduced to tears as he was rearraigned and admitted all of the counts on the indictment.
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His sentencing will begin today (Monday) and is expected to take two days. He has been warned that he faces a lengthy prison sentence.