An ambulance crew who worked in horrific roadside conditions to save a man from a near fatal condition have been shortlisted for a prestigious award.

Michael Lavery, 62, of Norris Road, Upper Arncott, near Bicester, said paramedic Emma Williams and ambulance technician Kevin Gear, of Oxfordshire Ambulance Service, managed to give him life-saving treatment for an illness that only five in every 100 people survive.

Mr Lavery with Emma Williams and Kevin Gear He said doctors later told him it was a miracle he survived the journey to Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital, let alone the five-hour operation he endured after suffering an abdominal aortic aneurism -- known as a triple A -- in February.

Miss Williams and Mr Gear, who are due to get married next year, have been shortlisted for the final 50 of the Vodafone Life Savers Awards.

A triple A is caused when the abdominal section of the aorta -- the main artery pumping blood around the body from the heart -- weakens and balloons before bursting to cause internal bleeding.

Mr Lavery was driving home along the A41 Bicester bypass when the condition struck.

He said: "Because I had lost so much blood I just collapsed and fell unconscious."

A passing motorist called 999, alerting the ambulance service. When the crew arrived they realised Mr Lavery had minutes to live. In the dark, and in pouring rain, Miss Williams and Mr Gear fitted the former Royal Signal Corps Regimental Sergeant Major with a drip and put him into the ambulance.

The couple then relayed vital information to the JR, making sure a team of doctors was ready to operate on the father-of-four.

Mr Lavery said: "Emma and Kevin deserve the highest award for the dedication they showed me that night."

Because of their relationship the couple are not allowed to work together on normal shifts, but treated Mr Lavery while on overtime.

Miss Williams said: "We have been singled out but it should be the ambulance service as a whole that should be recognised."

If the couple are among the 10 winning regional life-savers, they will be invited to attend a reception hosted by Prime Minister Tony Blair in November.