A FORMER paramedic who spearheaded the emergency response to the Brighton bombing died after contracting coronavirus.

Douglas “Dougie” Mayne died at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards on March 31, aged 76.

He lived in Bexhill and worked as a paramedic at ambulance stations in Heathfield, Hastings and later Eastbourne, providing healthcare to those in need across Sussex.

The Argus:

It was during his time as a station manager in Eastbourne that he faced perhaps his greatest challenge, as he was tasked with co-ordinating the ambulance response to the Brighton bombing of The Grand hotel in 1984 - while also playing a large role in treating people at the scene.

Douglas contracted Covid-19 shortly after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the UK lockdown on March 23.

He died in hospital just days later. His daughter, Cathy Khan, said she was hit with a feeling of shock when she found out he had been diagnosed with the illness.

The Argus:

She said: “I had known already that, if my dad did contract the virus, he would end up in the hospital with a slim chance of survival because of his underlying health conditions - a lung condition and COPD. It was extremely stressful. All I could do was pray.”

She added: “My sisters and I got to see my dad for about 60 seconds through a window at the hospital, I’m grateful for that. That was the last time myself and my sisters saw my dad.”

Cathy paid tribute to her father, who leaves behind his three daughters and two grandchildren.

The Argus:

She said: “My dad was a people helper, he loved helping people. I think that’s probably what led him to become a paramedic.”

Cathy recalled waking up as a child to find a stranger in their house - a young girl.

It transpired that Douglas, known as Dougie to everyone other than his wife Iris, had spotted that a house across the road was on fire.

The Argus:

Without a second thought, a pyjama-clad Dougie rushed over there to rescue those inside, including the girl his daughter had unexpectedly met.

Cathy said: “Everybody talks about my dad as a gentleman, very well respected and loyal. He was always there to help people through difficult times in their lives.

“There was never a time in his life when he wasn’t helping someone. In my book, he was a bit of a hero.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund