My sister Sheena is a sports instructor at a leisure centre in Saffron Walden. A few days ago some one rushed in and screamed for someone with first aid experience to come and help at a scene of an accident. It turned out this was no ordinary accident. A cyclist had been hit - and hit badly - by a lorry carrying a skip. The cyclist was to all intents and purposes gone. There was blood everywhere. She had no mask but without a thought for her own safety carried out mouth to mouth rescusitation and tried to get his heart restarted. After a while she felt a pulse and he started breathing again. In the meantime a rubber-necking crowd had gathered as people came out of their houses to see what was happening. She asked someone for a hankerchief to wipe the blood away. No one offered. So she carried on regardless. Unbelieveably parents brought their young children to watch this scene of utter carnage. A few minutes later the air ambulance arrived. Apparently the paramedics wanted the air ambulance to take the guy to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge as they were best suited to treat his injuries and it was only 14 miles away. The air ambulance refused on the basis that Addenbrooke's didn't have a helipad and they insisted on taking him to Harlow, more than 25 miles away. Sadly he didn't make it. But I'm very proud of my sister. She did what we'd all like to think we'd do in the circumstances, but if we're honest withourselves we're not sure we could. It's people like her who deserve to be in the Honours List.
Saturday, June 17, 2006
My Sister, My Heroine
My sister Sheena is a sports instructor at a leisure centre in Saffron Walden. A few days ago some one rushed in and screamed for someone with first aid experience to come and help at a scene of an accident. It turned out this was no ordinary accident. A cyclist had been hit - and hit badly - by a lorry carrying a skip. The cyclist was to all intents and purposes gone. There was blood everywhere. She had no mask but without a thought for her own safety carried out mouth to mouth rescusitation and tried to get his heart restarted. After a while she felt a pulse and he started breathing again. In the meantime a rubber-necking crowd had gathered as people came out of their houses to see what was happening. She asked someone for a hankerchief to wipe the blood away. No one offered. So she carried on regardless. Unbelieveably parents brought their young children to watch this scene of utter carnage. A few minutes later the air ambulance arrived. Apparently the paramedics wanted the air ambulance to take the guy to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge as they were best suited to treat his injuries and it was only 14 miles away. The air ambulance refused on the basis that Addenbrooke's didn't have a helipad and they insisted on taking him to Harlow, more than 25 miles away. Sadly he didn't make it. But I'm very proud of my sister. She did what we'd all like to think we'd do in the circumstances, but if we're honest withourselves we're not sure we could. It's people like her who deserve to be in the Honours List.
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20 comments:
What a star your sister is. Fear not, the angels on high will have noted her efforts and her reward, both in this world and beyond, will be infinitely greater than that of receiving some cheap discredited honour.
Many congratulations to your sister. One reason Addenbrooke's possibly couldn't take the injured man was because they have no heli-pad, ridiculous for a hospital of this status. Helicopters have to land in various locations on the outskirts of the city and patients are then transported to the hospital through a traffic-choked city. That's probably why Harlow was chosen.
Yes - Commendable and deserving of the highest accolades.
Most people are onlookers because they are helpless in themselves without the spur to action or the potential to lead.
That is the fate of nations - the mass will go along and be spectators - it is the few who take action that make the country distinctive
A star indeed. I learnt first aid, but learning first aid is one thing, putting it into practice under those conditions is quite another. Having been there myself I know.
A true heroine indeed. So sad few people follow her example in similar circumstances.
Indeed, indeed.
Peter from Putney articulates correctly. Her reward is not in some tin medal, but most assuredly in Heaven. Her nobility and altruism are evidently innate.
It reminds me of Matthew Parris' observation on prospective parliamentarians in today's Times:
Of media stars there will be many. Nobility of nature is in shorter supply.
Richest blessings upon her.
We could do with a lot more people like her!
May God bless her for her bravery. Hope you can show her the praise that she has been deservedly receiving, above.
Hi all,
Come to my home once.
with regards,
Smith
www.withcrystalsandstones.com
Good stuff. The reason she wasn't offered a hankie was that hardly anybody uses them nowadays. I'd like to think I'd offer a shirt. Well I know I would, but then my shirts cost £15 in M&S.
Sheena Good girl - makes one glad to be a member of the human race. The thing about these acts is that they beget other good acts so the good is a continuing legacy.
Sad though that others did not provide active support but somethimes the English seem reluctant to put themselves forward. Well done.
Iain
Europe set to go kaboom - The Business has following story tomorrow on Cash/Redwood.
Sounds like the Party has made an almight hash up which has not been noticed but has huge implications.
Fraser Nelson scores another goal:
http://www.thebusinessonline.com/Stories.aspx?Cameron%20faces%20new%20mutiny%20over%20Europe%20opt-out&StoryID=B4B2BD65-A609-4B79-9CF2-443E18262A15&SectionID=F3B76EF0-7991-4389-B72E-D07EB5AA1CEE
What a fine, brave lady.
- Anonymousette
Wonderful lady! ...and I agree that people like her should be honoured. Dredging the list of honours the other day I was utterly gobsmacked to read that so many of the maligned management of the Health Service and Teaching profession were honoured as well as a couple of bus drivers???? Except for a few leaders of giant PLC's nobody remotely associated with UK exports was worthy of an award which says a hell of a lot about Blair's New Economy.
Britain needs to introduce a compulsory first aid course as part of either the driving test or perhaps as part of the school curriculum.
It really is no rocketscience knowing how to helpt to save someone's life and it's a core life skill.
Well done your sister. I hope that she is not too shaken up, or feels sad afterwards that he died despite her magnificent efforts.
She sounds like a great person.
After her awful shock has abated I hope she will feel good about her heroism, condolences to the family of the guy who died. Makes you wonder whether he may have survived if he had been a bit nearer a hospital that would take him.
Well done for your sister and a truly responsible citizen . Apparently in a crisis dont ask for general help always say you with the red tie (or whatever) give me your hankie? It then puts that person truly on the spot - whereas a general request will be ignored as everyone thinks its someone elses responsibility
Top bird!
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