TWO police officers who helped to save a suicidal man in York are to receive national life-saving awards.

PCs Amanda Reader and Anthony Smith, both based in York, have been awarded resuscitation certificates by the Royal Humane Society after they were called to a property off Nunnery Lane last October.

They were sent to the property on October 29, following a call from the man, who gave no details, but said the matter was important.

When they arrived and found the door unlocked, they entered the house and found the man hanging. Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, praised the work of the PCs, and said if it had not been for their efforts, the man would probably have died.

Mr Wilkinson said: “They got him down to the floor but he was showing no vital signs. To all intents and purposes he was dead. However, they weren’t prepared to accept that. PC Reader began administering chest compressions while PC Smith gave mouth-to-mouth.

“They continued this physically exacting resuscitation for 25 to 30 minutes and, by the time the ambulance arrived, the man had begun showing some signs of life. The paramedic diagnosed him with a crushed larynx, and the man recovered after several days in intensive care. But for the prompt action and expertise of these two officers, he would have surely died. They richly deserve these awards.”

The officers will be awarded their certificates at a special ceremony later this year.