Speedy “Superhero” saves collapsed man
Norfolk power worker David Ready has been dubbed a superhero by colleagues after saving the life of a man who had collapsed unconscious.
A grateful John Boniface said from his hospital bed:” I’ve been told by two doctors that if David wasn’t there I might not be here now”.
Quick thinking David spotted John lying on a driveway in Tivetshall St Mary as he was on his way to a job for UK Power Networks. He leapt out of his truck and ran over to him,but got no response to a gentle shake and couldn’t find a pulse.
“I started to give him CPR and I think I had done about six or seven compressions when all of a sudden he coughed and spluttered, “said David, who reassured John and put him in the recovery position. It was freezing cold and David dashed back to his truck and covered him with a warm work jacket and put another one under his head, which was bleeding. David then dialled 999 and an ambulance arrived around 15 minutes later to take over.
The paramedics congratulated the linesperson for his prompt action and said he had done a good job. “They said I had saved his life,” said David. John was carried into the ambulance on a stretcher, checked over, and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Meanwhile John’s partner Alyson had arrived home to find out what had happened and followed him to hospital. “I heard sirens and saw the ambulance, then I saw someone lying down covered with a high vis jacket and I realised who it was,” she said.
David, who lives in Wymondham, said the first aid training he had through work over his 44-year career as a linesperson had taught him what to do. However, it had reminded him of the occasion some years ago when he had to try and save his father who collapsed, but despite applying CPR his dad sadly died. He said: “I feel quite proud of myself for what I did for John, but what happened before with my dad came back to me”.
David received several calls from UK Power Networks managers to check if he was ok and to congratulate him for his swift action.
Area manager Russell Hunter said “Fortunately incidents like this are few and far between, and David’s quick response and ability to recognise the severity of this situation has brought about a very positive outcome. All our operational staff at UK Power Networks are trained in emergency first aid. David was in the right place and willing to put into action the training that we hope we never have to use in our daily work. All the team in Norwich are very proud of the way David responded and very pleased John is on his way making a full recovery.”
John has spent several days in hospital and his partner Alyson Read said: “We are both very grateful to him for what he did.”
David had been visiting to check out a tree trimming job, as the power company works to keep branches clear of overhead electricity lines so that local power supplies remain safe and reliable. Now he’s been promised a cup of tea and several chocolate biscuits on his return!
Published: 24/01/2024
A grateful John Boniface said from his hospital bed:” I’ve been told by two doctors that if David wasn’t there I might not be here now”.
Quick thinking David spotted John lying on a driveway in Tivetshall St Mary as he was on his way to a job for UK Power Networks. He leapt out of his truck and ran over to him,but got no response to a gentle shake and couldn’t find a pulse.
“I started to give him CPR and I think I had done about six or seven compressions when all of a sudden he coughed and spluttered, “said David, who reassured John and put him in the recovery position. It was freezing cold and David dashed back to his truck and covered him with a warm work jacket and put another one under his head, which was bleeding. David then dialled 999 and an ambulance arrived around 15 minutes later to take over.
The paramedics congratulated the linesperson for his prompt action and said he had done a good job. “They said I had saved his life,” said David. John was carried into the ambulance on a stretcher, checked over, and taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
Meanwhile John’s partner Alyson had arrived home to find out what had happened and followed him to hospital. “I heard sirens and saw the ambulance, then I saw someone lying down covered with a high vis jacket and I realised who it was,” she said.
David, who lives in Wymondham, said the first aid training he had through work over his 44-year career as a linesperson had taught him what to do. However, it had reminded him of the occasion some years ago when he had to try and save his father who collapsed, but despite applying CPR his dad sadly died. He said: “I feel quite proud of myself for what I did for John, but what happened before with my dad came back to me”.
David received several calls from UK Power Networks managers to check if he was ok and to congratulate him for his swift action.
Area manager Russell Hunter said “Fortunately incidents like this are few and far between, and David’s quick response and ability to recognise the severity of this situation has brought about a very positive outcome. All our operational staff at UK Power Networks are trained in emergency first aid. David was in the right place and willing to put into action the training that we hope we never have to use in our daily work. All the team in Norwich are very proud of the way David responded and very pleased John is on his way making a full recovery.”
John has spent several days in hospital and his partner Alyson Read said: “We are both very grateful to him for what he did.”
David had been visiting to check out a tree trimming job, as the power company works to keep branches clear of overhead electricity lines so that local power supplies remain safe and reliable. Now he’s been promised a cup of tea and several chocolate biscuits on his return!
Published: 24/01/2024