Author saved by village street spreads festive cheer with a treasure hunt

A CHILDREN’S author who was rescued by an entire street after he collapsed has spread a little festive cheer just before Christmas.

Nearly a dozen residents in Hilton emerged from their homes to give vital assistance to author Tim Millward by fetching a defibrillator and bringing blankets and pillows when he suddenly collapsed in the street in the South Derbyshire village.

He was rushed to hospital where he recovered and later thanked the villagers for their help. It has not been revealed which street he collapsed in.

Last week, he launched a Christmas treasure hunt which took place on Saturday, December 18.

He ran a Poppy and Lord Ted treasure hunt – named after his latest book – where he hung 20 Christmas baubles around Hilton village for the children to find.

Fifteen baubles included Poppy and Lord Ted fan club badges, chocolates, and messages while five baubles included a star prize of a signed copy of Tim’s book.

He asked that the five lucky prize winners took their baubles to TLC Bakery of Hilton on the Saturday where he greeted them, signed their book and took a winners photograph.

Mr Millward had been walking with his partner, Rachel, in Hilton on Saturday, October 30, when he suddenly fell to the floor.

A member of the public alerted officers at Hilton Police Station to the incident, telling them the man was experiencing chest pain.

The officer immediately radioed for emergency medical assistance and drove to the scene, where he found Mr Millward on the ground in the arms of his partner.

Over the next 45 minutes, with the support of nearly a dozen members of the public, residents in Hilton came together to provide vital comfort and care to Mr Millward, officers from Mercia Police safer neighbourhood team said.

A defibrillator was brought from the village hall. A passing walker placed traffic cones in the roadway alerting other drivers to the emergency. And to provide warmth, several kind-hearted residents brought blankets, a pillow and winter coats from nearby Hilton Harriers Football Club and homes close to the scene.

Paramedics began emergency treatment at the scene and Mr Millward was taken to Royal Derby Hospital for tests and treatment.

Facebook.com/burtonlivenews Tim Millward at hospital with his partner Rachel and Sergeant Tarj Nizzer, left SNT PICTURES: MERCIA POLICE WALKER WHO HAD COLLAPSED RESIDENTS GIVE VITAL AID TO FOR DIRECTING AMBULANCE INCLUDING GIRL, 11, WHO IS PRAISED Street comes out to help save Tim’s life How we covered the village drama

TIM MILLWARD Children’s author Tim Millward was helped by residents when he collapsed in a Hilton Street in October. Last week he placed gift-bearing baubles round the village for children to find