Award for saving heart attack man (From York Press)

Award for saving heart attack man

10:20am Wednesday 6th March 2013 in News By Press reporter

A POLICE community support officer who fought a life-and-death battle to save a York heart attack victim is to receive a top award.

PCSO Lee Johnson is to receive a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for saving the life of Raymond Towell, 66, in Blossom Street in York last August.

Mr Towell, a former curator of the National Railway Museum, collapsed and stopped breathing as he went to catch a bus, as reported in The Press last year.

He had turned blue and was bleeding when PCSO Johnson, who was on routine patrol, rushed to help.

Announcing the award yesterday, the society’s secretary, Dick Wilkinson, said: “Put simply, he was the right person in the right place at the right time.

He found Mr Towell had turned blue and had been bleeding from a head injury he received as he fell. He was displaying no vital signs.

“PCSO Johnson immediately commenced cardiac pulmonary resuscitation. As he did so, he was joined by a paramedic who was cycling nearby and thankfully was equipped with a defibrillator.”

The paramedic, Craig Barley, used the defibrillator and he and PCSO Johnson stabilised Mr Towell after about eight minutes.

He had suffered a heart attack and was transferred to the cardiac unit at Leeds General Infirmary, where he made a full recovery.

Mr Wilkinson said: “Were it not for the fast actions of PCSO Johnson, he may well not have survived. He richly deserves this award. There is no greater service you can do for a fellow human being than save their life.”

The award was made on the recommendation of North Yorkshire Police and is likely to be presented in the near future.

Chief Inspector Phil Cain, of York Police, said: “Lee’s quick-thinking actions undoubtedly saved Mr Towell's life and he is fully deserving of this award.

“The public can take great comfort from the fact that North Yorkshire Police has people like Lee who are so committed to serving their communities and protecting lives.

“Not only is Lee a credit to the force, he represents the true nature of policing in this country."