Police praised for saving life
● POLICE in Widnes have been praised after their swift actions saved the life of a cyclist who had collapsed.
A Cheshire police spokeswoman said PC Lauren Henthorn was out on patrol when she was alerted to a cyclist who had collapsed on Lunts Heath Road at around 11.45am on Tuesday, September 19.
The casualty, a 69-yearold man from Liverpool, was unconscious and unresponsive and PC Henthorn called for backup while beginning CPR on him.
She was joined at the scene by PC William Davies, PC Ian Harrison, Sergeant Victoria Tait, PC Michael Molyneux and PC John Forster who arrived equipped with oxygen and a defibrillator.
While waiting for the ambulance to arrive, officers continued CPR on the man, using the defibrillator and oxygen.
The man was responsive and talking when officers handed the casualty to paramedics.
The spokeswoman said ambulance staff thanked officers and praised their efforts in helping to save him, assuring them that if it was not for their intervention and first aid, the man’s condition could have proved fatal.
The cyclist remains in hospital in a ‘stable condition’.
Chief Inspector Simon Parsonage, of Widnes Local Policing Unit, said: “This was excellent work by all officers involved, who had a collapsing time frame in which to make vital and critical decisions.
“I have no doubt in my mind that the actions of these officers saved this man’s life.
“Their quick thinking and excellent first aid helped keep this man alive until the paramedics attended the scene.
“This is a great example where officers have gone above and beyond to keep members of our community safe.
“I am proud to have these officers on my team.”