Thanks to the fast-acting officers, the man survived and was discharged from hospital a few days later
Three police officers have been praised after their fast actions helped to save the life of a man who had a sudden heart attack in Salford. Response officers, PC Abbie Ellison and PC Sophie North, were flagged down by a member of the public while they were on patrol on February 26.
At around 8.30am, PC Ellison and PC North, who work on Response in the Salford district, were on their usual mobile patrol in the area when they were flagged down by a member of the public who was in distress.
A man riding a mobility scooter appeared to have had a medical episode and collided with a parked vehicle on Hankinson Way, Salford Precinct.
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PC Ellison and PC North immediately stopped their vehicle and rushed to the scene where the man, in his 50s, was unconscious and in cardiac arrest. The officers immediately began conducting CPR on the man and set-up the defibrillator ready to assist with resuscitation.
PC North shouted over the radio to alert other patrols and make North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) aware they were attending a medical emergency.
PC Ellison said: “You go to all different types of jobs being on response, however, this incident was an incident where the treatment we gave could potentially save someone’s life. And thankfully this happened in this circumstance.
“To know this male is still alive and able to continue with his day-to-day life due to the lifesaving support he was given is exactly the reason I became a police officer; to be able to make a difference and help people in critical times.”
A third officer, PC Siergiejew, was responding to an alternate job but stopped at the location to help her two colleagues until paramedics arrived.
PC Siergiejew said: “When I heard my colleagues shout for assistance I could hear from their voice that the incident was serious. I was already attending an alternate immediate response incident; however, I was passing them to go to the job.
“I stopped immediately to help my colleagues. Asking members of the public to stand back to give us some space to give lifesaving first aid. I noticed that the officer conducting CPR had been doing this for some time, so I swapped with her and continued to conduct CPR.
“I felt so much relief when the paramedic advised us that there was a pulse again for this male. Within the four years of being a police officer I have never given CPR to someone that has recovered, and that made me proud of my colleagues and myself.”
The three officers provided lifesaving medical assistance to the man while trying to contain a clear area and get members of the public to stand back. Once the first rapid response vehicle had arrived, they were advised that the patient had regained a pulse, and he was taken to hospital for further treatment.
PC North said: “I have been a response officer for three years, and this incident marked the first time I had ever been flagged down to assist someone requiring CPR. Despite a crowd quickly gathering around PC Ellison and me, we remained entirely focused on delivering life-saving care.
“A few weeks later, the man attended Pendleton Police Station with his carer to collect his mobility scooter. During that visit, he shook my hand and thanked me for saving his life. It was a truly full-circle moment. That sense of gratitude is exactly why I chose to become a police officer – to make a difference and help people in their most critical moments.”
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