Paramedic rescues doctor who saved his life as a baby 30 years ago

The pair were reunited at a charity event on Sunday.

On March 29, 2011, Dr. Michael Shannon was driving on the Pacific Coast Highway in California when he was involved in a serious accident.

A truck and his SUV were in collision, pinning his vehicle underneath the truck as it caught fire.

Firefighters responded to the crash but by the time they arrived, Shannon’s vehicle was also on fire.

Fire crews worked to extinguish the flames and the seriously injured Shannon was taken to Mission Hospital where he spent the next 45 days recovering from internal injuries.

One of those who helped rescue Dr. Shannon that day was paramedic Chris Trokey - who had encountered Dr. Shannon before 30 years before when he had saved his life.

When Chris was born, he weighed just 3.2 pounds and was given only a 50/50 chance of survival. But his paediatrician - Dr. Shannon - stayed with him around the clock and nursed him back to health.

And now 30 years later, Trokey was able to return the favour.

“It’s amazing to watch them all grow up, but to have one come back in your life, on a day you really need it, that’s really incredible,” Shannon told KTLA News.

“It’s a great feeling, and now he’s my son’s paediatrician,” Trokey said.

The two were speaking at a fundraiser last Sunday where the pair shaved their heads to raise money for childhood cancer research.