Scottish Borders twins become emergency response icons after 10 years on frontlines
Identical twins Lee and Liam Myers have responded to over 3,800 calls during a decade of service, earning local legend status for their synchronized efficiency. Their joint career raises questions about the future of emergency response teams.
For a decade, identical twins Lee and Liam Myers have been answering the call across the Scottish Borders, turning heads—and saving lives—as the region’s most recognizable emergency responders. The brothers, now 34, have logged more than 3,800 calls together since joining the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2014, a record that has turned them into local icons.
Key Points
- ✅ Over 3,800 emergency calls responded to by the twins since 2014
- ⚡ Identical twins Lee (34) and Liam Myers (34) work side by side
- 💡 Their synchronized partnership has reduced response times in rural areas
Based in Galashiels, the twins cover a sprawling area from Peebles to Hawick, where their presence alone often calms distressed patients. Colleagues describe their teamwork as seamless, attributing a 12% faster average response time to their ability to anticipate each other’s actions without verbal cues.
Lee Myers, a former rugby player, said their bond goes beyond professional synergy. "We’ve spent our lives reading each other’s moves—whether on a rugby field or in the back of an ambulance," he told reporters. "That instinct carries over to our work. Patients often tell us they feel safer when they see us together."
💡 Pro Tip
Emergency responders in rural areas benefit from pairing staff with strong pre-existing relationships, as it reduces communication gaps and speeds up decision-making under pressure.
Local health officials confirm the twins’ impact extends beyond response times. In 2023, their unit logged a 95% patient satisfaction rate, the highest in the Scottish Borders, with many citing the twins’ calming presence as a key factor.
| Metric | Lee & Liam Myers | Department Average |
|---|---|---|
| Response Time | 8.2 minutes | 9.3 minutes |
| Patient Satisfaction | 95% | 87% |
| Call Volume | 3,800+ | 2,900 |
Their success has sparked discussions among policymakers about replicating their model in other high-stress, low-resource environments. Dr. Fiona McLeod, medical director for the Scottish Ambulance Service, said their partnership "highlights the untapped potential of leveraging natural human connections in emergency care."
📋 By The Numbers
- 3,800+ — Total calls responded to by the twins
- 95% — Patient satisfaction rate for their unit in 2023
- 12% — Faster response time attributed to their teamwork
The twins, who grew up in Selkirk, initially joined the service separately but were paired in 2016 after supervisors noticed their uncanny ability to work in sync. Their reputation grew when a viral video surfaced in 2019 showing them navigating a treacherous rural road in a blizzard, lights flashing, to reach an elderly patient in critical condition.
- 📊 The twins’ unit covers 1,200 square miles, making it one of the largest response areas in Scotland
- 🔍 Their combined experience includes 150+ high-risk obstetric emergencies
- ⚠️ Rural response challenges persist due to limited cell service in parts of the Borders
Now, as the Scottish Ambulance Service explores expanding their model, the twins remain focused on their daily grind. "We’re just doing our jobs," Liam Myers said. "But if our story shows anything, it’s that sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones—people who trust each other implicitly."
- 2014 — Lee Myers joins the Scottish Ambulance Service
- 2016 — Twins are paired after supervisors notice their synergy
- 2019 — Viral video of their blizzard response boosts their local fame
- 2023 — Their unit achieves a 95% patient satisfaction rate