A HAMPSHIRE Ambulance paramedic achieved a landmark first for the service when he gave a life-saving injection to a heart attack victim.

Mike Burrows administered the blood-clot busting drug to 58-year-old grandfather Tony Nightingale at his home last Tuesday morning.

Mr Burrows will be officially recorded as the first paramedic in Hampshire to ever give the drug in a pre-hospital setting since training began in June 2004.

He and technician Paul Darlaston, both from Andover ambulance station, say they are very proud to have made history with the treatment.

Mr Nightingale, from Andover, who works as a coach driver, was last week recovering at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

He said: "Although I wouldn't have necessarily chosen to be a guinea pig, I am, and always will be, in debt to these two guys for what they have done.

"I owe them more than I can ever repay.

"If this drug can help others in this situation then I'm happy to have played a small part."

Mr Burrows said: "Once we managed to get Tony to the ambulance we were able to do an electrocardiogram which confirmed that he was in fact suffering a heart attack."

After Mr Burrows asked questions about Mr Nightingale's medical history and made observations, the injection was given.

He added: "I was 100 per cent sure that it would make a difference to Tony's recovery.

"I am very pleased with the improvement that it has made to Tony's condition."

Training has allowed paramedics to administer the drug - called thrombolysis - at the scene, rather than having to take the patient into hospital for it.

The quicker the drug can be administered, the less risk of long-term damage to the heart and a better chance of survival for the patient.

All of Hampshire's paramedics are being trained in the initial diagnosis with a electrocardiogram.

Paramedics at ambulance stations across the county are being trained to administer the injection.