Teenage 999 operator nominated for Service Hero award

11:24am Friday 9th May 2008

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A TEENAGE 999 operator who helped a man save his choking wife's life is in line for an award.

Cool-headed York-based call-room operator Charlotte Wright has been nominated in the Health Service Hero category of The Press Community Pride awards for her help in saving Ruth Swifts' life.

Earlier this week, The Press reported, pictured, how John Swift thought Ruth, his wife of 38 years, was dead when he picked up the phone to call for an ambulance.

Ruth, who has suffered from multiple sclerosis for 20 years, had choked on a prawn sandwich and within seconds had stopped breathing and turned blue.

After an unsuccessful attempt to carry out the abdominal thrust, or "Heimlich manoeuvre", John phoned 999 in desperation.

Charlotte, who had only been working as an emergency call operator for two months, answered the phone and reassured John, 57, that together they would keep his wife alive.

As it would have been too late for Ruth if John had waited for the paramedics to arrive, Charlotte proceeded to give John clear instructions.

John, of Easingwold, said: "I thought I had lost her. I thought she was dead."

Charlotte, who is only 19, help reassure John, and calmly told him how to perform the Heimlich manoeuvre.

They went through the sequence twice and John managed to resuscitate Ruth. Without Charlotte, John said he is "convinced" Ruth wouldn't be alive today.

He wants to mark the teenager's help by nominating her for a Community Pride award.

John, a grandfather-of-three, said: "I know people must think that any 999 operator could have done what Charlotte did, but I can honestly not put into words how exceptional she was.

"She was so calm and reassuring on the phone that I stopped panicking and managed to carry out the Heimlich manoeuvre precisely with focus.

"When I think I could have lost my wife - it doesn't bear thinking about. I will be grateful every day of my life that it was Charlotte who picked up the phone that day.

"I will be forever in her debt because without Rose in my life I don't know what I would do."

To nominate somebody, fill in the entry form (link below) and send it to Paula Homer, The Press, 76-86 Walmgate, York, YO1 9YN. Alternatively, email us at editor@thepress.co.uk.