Two police constables, along with two members of the public, received Chief Constable’s commendations this evening (6 Dec) after coming to the aid of a man who suffered a heart attack.
The man had been involved in a road traffic collision outside Workington Police Station on 6 April 2017, on Hall Brow.
The driver had suffered a suspected heart attack whilst at the wheel and his car collided with a lamp post.
Jonathan Sunter was first to the scene, along with Police Constable Scott Farmer – who was off-duty at the time of the incident.
Anthony Brown also stopped at the scene to assist in extracting the driver, who had stopped breathing, from the car.
PC Scott Farmer began CPR whilst asking Mr Suntner to run to the police station to get the defibrillator.
Police Constable Jamie Callon then arrived with the defibrillator and all four men assisted in the defibrillation and CPR process until paramedics arrived and took over his treatment.
The driver arrived at hospital in a critical condition and was not expected to survive. However, he went on to make a full recovery.
The man subsequently told officers that it was the opinion of the medical staff that the treatment he received at the scene, including the use of the defibrillator, had undoubtedly saved his life.
The officers and members of the public have also been awarded certificates from the Royal Humane Society.
Chief Inspector Terry Bathgate said: “The calm but swift actions of the two officers and the members of the public were undoubtedly integral to the driver subsequently recovering.
“The two members of the public showed great courage in stopping at the scene to offer their assistance, which proved to be invaluable, whilst the actions of both of the Police Constables were a credit to the Constabulary.”
PC Farmer was unable to attend this evening’s ceremony.
