A TEENAGER’S life was saved after an ambulance crew rushed him through the night to London for a vital liver transplant.

Conor Rowlands, whose family was called in the early hours to say he needed to get to the capital as soon as possible, said the emergency four-hour dash was "like an episode of Grand Theft Auto".

Conor, 17, of Huby, near Easingwold, reached King’s College Hospital in time for his life-saving surgery, using a liver from an 11-year-old girl, and now he has his life back, passing his driving test, working as an apprentice at City of York Council and planning to become a mechanic.

And next week he is set to be re-united with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service crew who transported him to London last year - advanced emergency medical technician Dave Gardner and emergency care assistant Hannah Duffield - when he pays a visit to Thirsk Ambulance Station.

His story emerged yesterday as MPs debated proposals which would massively increase the number of organs available for such transplants. MPs backed Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson’s private members’ bill to change the rules on organ donation consent in England, by requiring people to “opt out” if they do not want their organs used.

The move, which would bring England into line with Wales, which already has an opt-out system for consent, passed its second reading. The Government has said it “wholeheartedly” supports the bill, which will now receive detailed scrutiny.

Conor had been on the transplant list since he was 15 years old after being diagnosed with a cryptogenic liver disease.

His mother Elaine said: “Life was terrible. He became more tired and tried to carry on, but he was exhausted. He did really well to get through his GCSEs.

“When we got the call about the transplant, I felt sick, but knew he needed it and he took it in his stride.

“I was panicking that we wouldn’t get to London in time and Conor said it was like an episode of Grand Theft Auto!

“Dave and Hannah were just brilliant and not once did they complain about being tired. Nothing was too much trouble.

“Conor feels better and has loads of energy. It’s just lovely to have a happy teenager. We’re so thankful to the donor family that he can live again.”

An ambulance service spokeswoman said Dave and Hannah were nine-and-a-half hours into their night shift when they got the call to take Conor to London.

“After their emergency dash to London, Dave and Hannah had some much-needed rest at a Premier Inn, before finally returning to Thirsk Ambulance Station.”

Dave said: “It’s definitely the longest shift I have ever worked! But Conor got his liver transplant and that’s all that matters.”