Father and son paramedics recreate family photo 30 years later

Dan was barely a toddler when he was snapped pretending to drive his dad's ambulance, but they now get to work together as adults.

A father and son who both work as paramedics made hearts melt by recreating a decades old family photo.

Student paramedic Dan Gray, 30, was barely a toddler when he was snapped pretending to drive an ambulance while proud dad Mike looks on.

Now, 30 years down the line, that dream is finally a reality as the pair work alongside each other in the South Western Ambulance Service.

To celebrate, they decided to recreate the treasured photo, with Dan swapping a nappy for a green ambulance uniform as Mike once again beams close by.

It proved a hit on Twitter too, receiving just over 1,400 likes.

A chance to recreate a photo 30 years apart. One proud dad. pic.twitter.com/yV3cVTV7OH

— Mike Gray (@999GrayM) June 1, 2019

When you get to not only follow in your father’s footsteps but also work directly side by side. #RoleModel #FatherAndSon #Ambulance #privileged pic.twitter.com/LPXTVWXbJw

— Dan Gray (@DanGray89) June 3, 2019

Dan, who started as an emergency care assistant back in 2015, said: ‘Who’d have thought I’d not only be able to follow in my father’s footsteps, but also get a chance to work directly alongside him?

‘He really is my role model and it is a privilege when we get to work on the odd shift together.

‘We were amazed at the reaction to a photo we posted on social media recreating us together 30 years later.

‘That original photo sat in my grandad’s wallet for many years, so it is a little worn out but you can still see what I wanted to be when I grew up.’

Despite now working as paramedics, the pair, from Somerset, both began their respective careers as firefighters.

Dan joined the Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service in 2008 and occasionally bumped into his dad at emergency incidents.

He decided to retrain for the ambulance service after being inspired watching him.

Mike, who works as a specialist paramedic, said: ‘It’s one big green family, and we all support each other.

‘I’m so proud of Dan. He always used to come along to the station and was very interested in it all from an early age.

‘It is one of the most rewarding jobs being able to help treat patients in an emergency: to stabilise them and do your best for them when traumatic things have happened.

‘I’ve tried to pass on that onto Dan.

‘We may not have been there at the moment the incident happened but we can try and do our best to put things right again.’

Dan added: ‘It can be challenging, but very rewarding.

‘The work is very varied not knowing where, what or who you’ll get to see or treat in a shift.

‘The best thing is the comradeship, it is right across the emergency services in general and we support each other. I’d recommend the profession to anyone.’