The scene in Bridgefield Road as the emergency services deal with the trench collapse

Brave ambulance crews have been awarded after digging with their bare hands to reach a man buried beneath tonnes of earth.

Clinical Team Leader Jason Moat and Technician Jonathan Hope acted 'above and beyond the call of duty' when they tried to reach a man buried when a trench he was working in collapsed on top of him in April last year.

The pair, both based at Canterbury, were said to have strenuously tried to reach the worker at the trench in Bridgefield Road, Whitstable.

Unfortunately. the man suffered a cardiac arrest and breathing problems and died as a result of the accident.

Jason Moat said: "I was purely doing my job and instinct just took over. It wasn’t until both Jonathan and I were out of the trench that I realised the danger we’d been in."

South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is hosting two ceremonies for its east and west regions, the first at Leeds Castle last night, and the second at Felbridge Hotel, Gatwick, on March 29.

Jason Moat (middle) and Jonathan Hope (right) and South East Coast Ambulance chief executive Paul Sutton

Also receiving commendations are Medicines Management Lead Andy Parker for Clinical Excellence, and Clinical Team Leader Louise Massen, based at Thameside, for her dedication to caring for vulnerable patients.

Attending the ceremony is special guest the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Richard Oldfield.