“Fate” brought a Bromley man together with the paramedic who saved his life, when he sat down next to him and recognised his voice.

Steve Bird, who has had asthma for many years, was diagnosed with a chest infection in March 2013 and called for an ambulance when he was struggling to breathe.

Kevin Perera was the first paramedic on the scene and started to treat Steve who was taken to Lewisham Hospital, transferred to intensive care and put in an induced coma.

Three years on Steve was reunited with Kevin by chance, after sitting next to him at a British Lung Foundation event.

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Steve and Kevin have stayed in touch since their chance encounter.

Talking about the dramatic moments before the ambulance arrived, Steve said: “I thought I was dying as I couldn’t breathe in or out and couldn’t speak to the ambulance call taker but managed to keep calm and get the door open.

“I don’t remember much after that, only the paramedic’s voice talking to me after he brought me round.”

He was in hospital for two and a half months and was diagnosed with double pneumonia.

Kevin, who also lives in Bromley, said: “Steve said he recognised my voice and a colleague looked into it and found out that I was the first responder who treated Steve.

“I still find it hard to believe – it must be fate that so many things were aligned that day in order for us to meet again – three years down the line!

“It’s fantastic to see him again and looking so well, considering what an ordeal he’s been through. I don’t feel I can take all the credit.

“It’s my training that enabled me to help him and I’m very proud to work for the ambulance service.”

Steve added: “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Kevin and his colleagues. I have mixed emotions – I’m happy and grateful because I’m alive but it’s also a very strange feeling – not many people can say they’ve met the person who saved their life.”