The footballer visited the North Weald airbase to meet the team who cared for him after a serious road traffic collision in December 2024.
The reunion was filmed by the BBC for their Morning Live television show to raise awareness of the pre-hospital emergency service provided by the charity.
EHAAT’s pre-hospital care doctor, Dr James Moloney, and critical care paramedic, Rob Moon, attended the scene of the crash in Epping on December 7, 2024, alongside East of England Ambulance Service paramedics, Essex Fire and Rescue, and Essex Police.
They worked together to free Michail from the wreckage of his car.
Dr Moloney and Mr Moon arrived at the scene within minutes of receiving the dispatch call and quickly assessed Michail’s injuries.
They identified significant damage to his right leg and expressed concern about a potential brain injury due to his confused state.
They administered pain relief, treated his leg injuries, and stabilised him for transfer to a major trauma centre in London.
Their swift intervention meant Michail received immediate treatment, helping to save his leg and minimise long-term effects.
As part of a BBC Morning Live series exploring coping with trauma and recovery, Michail visited EHAAT’s airbase to meet Dr Moloney, Mr Moon, and patient and family liaison nurse, Trish Burton, who is part of the team providing aftercare support and advice to patients and their families long after the initial emergency.
After meeting the team and being shown around the base, Michail expressed his gratitude for the care he received.
He said: “I really can’t remember much about the accident—or even the hours before it and the days afterward.
“Meeting James and Rob has been incredibly helpful in filling in some of the blanks for me.
“I can’t thank the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance team enough for everything they did that day.
“Seeing the wreckage of my car, I know things could have been far worse without their expertise.
“Meeting them again and learning about the incredible aftercare the charity provides through the Patient & Family Liaison Team has been truly eye-opening.
“Knowing that EHAAT is a charity relying on donations to continue this vital work makes it even more important for people to support them however they can.”
Dr Moloney reflected on the reunion, highlighting the impact these meetings have on both patients and the crew.
He said: “As frontline clinicians, we play a vital but relatively short part in a patient’s journey, attending to them when they are at their most seriously ill or injured.
“That’s why reunions like this are so valuable—it gives us a chance to see the progress they make.
“Meeting Michail again and seeing how well he is doing was fantastic.
“It’s also important to recognise that every emergency response is a team effort.
“Without the support of the other emergency services at the scene—paramedics from EEAST, Essex Fire & Rescue, and Essex Police—we wouldn’t have been able to do our job.
“Their quick actions played a crucial role in Michail’s care, and we’re grateful to have such strong partnerships.”
EHAAT continues to provide life-saving care across Essex, Hertfordshire, and the surrounding areas.
As a charity reliant on donations, public support is essential to keeping the service operational.
