A WINSFORD paramedic who travelled to Nepal has spoken of his terror after a second earthquake sent shockwaves through the decimated country.

The first massive earthquake, which occurred around 11.30am on April 25, has claimed the lives of more than 8,600 people, and has left the country in ruins.

Just weeks later on May 12, a second earthquake hit Kathmandu and beyond, sending the capital into mass panic.

Retainer paramedic Keith Lee, 50, from Winsford, travelled to Kathmandu on May 6 with Disaster Medics, an aid group that provide medical treatment and training in disaster zones all over the globe.

Keith said: “We were in one of the highest villages we visited when the second earthquake hit. Prior to that, all we'd felt were the aftershocks.

“To be honest, when you're lay on the floor at night as we were, sleeping in lean-to shelters, goat sheds, etc, the ground never seemed to stop moving and it wasn't really too scary, but the actual earthquake was a completely different matter.

“It seemed to start gently enough, but within a few seconds, it was like a huge optical illusion. I was stood by the remaining wall of a house which just started swaying all over the place and the entire ground under my feet was moving like I was on a boat or some sort of weird fairground ride.

“To have what you know is solid ground to be shifting like that and to see one foot thick stone walls swaying like they're made out of rubber is surreal – not to mention scary.”

Keith has toured Iraq and Afghanistan with the British army, but said his experience in Nepal was a far more terrifying experience.

He explained: “I can honestly say that being in an earthquake was more frightening – simply because you can't really defend yourself.

“There's nowhere to take cover – or even run to – because it's happening all around.”

Unscathed from their ordeal in the mountains, the group continued their mission, before travelling back to the UK. In total they treated around 100 people.

Keith added: “All in all, it was both a humbling and rewarding trip and one that I'm really glad I made.”