School staff to get award after saving pupil’s life
Q U I C K- T H I N K I N G school staff will receive an award this week after helping to save the life of a pupil who suffered a heart attack.
Ten-year- old Cameron Tune collapsed in the foyer of Pil Primary School in Pyle and the seriousness of the situation soon became clear as he had stopped breathing.
Staff quickly administered first aid, which included CPR, before Welsh Ambulance Service paramedics arrived on scene within minutes of the 999 call.
After administering a shock with a defibrillator, the paramedics were soon supported by other medical staff who helped to stabilise Cameron’s condition before he was driven by ambulance to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.
Cameron was later transferred to a hospital in Bristol where an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator was fitted in his chest, so that it can treat any dangerously abnormal heart rhythms.
After a spell in hospital following the January incident Cameron is now back in school.
On Friday five staff from Pil Primary – Paula Rowlands, Cheryl Rowlands, Karen Flower-Robbins, Sarah Wallace and head teacher Neil Pryce – will be presented with a Mayor’s Citizenship Award by the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough for their quick-thinking.
Held annually, the awards are staged to reward the county borough’s unsung heroes such as charity champions, outstanding volunteers, and other residents who have done something remark- able in local communities during the last year or over a sustained period of time.
Councillor Reg Jenkins, the Mayor of Bridgend County Borough, said: “I was astonished to hear Cameron’s story and the remarkable way that school staff responded.
“They undoubtedly saved Cameron’s life and I will be honoured to present them with a citizenship award.”
Head teacher Mr Pryce said: “I can’t praise the staff enough for their response in dealing with a very a serious and life threatening situation. I am immensely proud of their actions on the day.
Paramedic Steve Smith, who is based at Bryncethin Ambulance Station, said: “Although we were on the scene within minutes of the call, those minutes that the teachers carried out CPR saved his life really.”