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.
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.”
