SUPERMARKET workers saved a customer's life when he suffered a major heart attack in store.
Beth Thomas and Laurie Merchant used their first aid skills when the man collapsed in Morrisons' fruit and vegetable aisle.
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QUICK-THINKING: Laurie Merchant and Beth Thomas, of Morrisons.
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Air ambulance lands at Morrisons
Laurie, who wants to be a paramedic, said: "Bringing him back was a miracle. He went out that morning and he might never have seen his family again."
The Nailsworth store had just opened when the drama began.
"We were called over because we are first aiders," said 24-year-old Beth, from Forest Green.
Laurie dialled 999 and, with a Great Western Ambulance call handler on the line, checked for a pulse.
"It was very weak at that point," said the Horsley 20-year-old.
Then his breathing stopped, said Beth.
"I was doing CPR and Laurie was counting and we swapped and kept going until the ambulance arrived," she said.
Former Thomas Keble and Rednock School pupil Laurie said: "The paramedics said the man had had one of the worst heart attacks you can have and if we hadn't have done what we did, he would not have survived." Store staff and customers cleared the car park next to Morrisons to allow an air ambulance to land.
"Medics re-started his heart with a defibrillator and an ambulance took him to hospital.
Laurie and Beth understand he is recovering well. They have been told his family wants to celebrate with a party and they will be guests of honour.
Great Western Ambulance Service spokesman John Oliver said: "The fact that Laurie and Beth were able to do this while professional ambulance clinicians were en route undoubtedly resulted in this patient not just surviving but now continuing to make a good recovery."
Source: www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk
Kent's cricketers eager for Beckenham game following washout against Sussex - This is london Calling
Kent's cricketers eager for Beckenham game following washout against Sussex
9:44am Wednesday 13th June 2012 in Latest Sport By Jim Palmer
SUNDAY’S game against Surrey at Beckenham will give Kent Spitfires the chance to kick-start their Friends Life T20 season following a washout yesterday.
The Spitfires’ opening game against Sussex Sharks was called off just minutes before it was due to start at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, after the venue was switched from a flooded Tunbridge Wells the day before.
Bexley-born all-rounder Adam Ball told News Shopper: “Twenty20 is the exciting part of the season, so obviously to have the first game rained off is quite disappointing.
“The boys were all raring to go and get out there and put in a good performance.”
But even rain clouds have silver linings, with Sunday’s fixture in Beckenham subsequently gaining in significance.
The England Under-19s captain and former Beth’s Grammar Schoolboy said: “It is always a good day at Beckenham in front of a decent crowd, against a top team in Surrey, so we’ll be looking to start off our T20 campaign with a win.
“I’m a Bexley boy so this is not too far from me – although I’m currently studying at the University of Kent in Canterbury, so it is still a bit of a trip. I’ll be popping home to see the parents.”
Kent skipper Rob Key, who grew up around Beckenham, is also looking forward to getting back to the north of the county.
He said: “I'm looking forward to Sunday, going back home. I love playing at Beckenham, we'll just hope for better weather.
“Nothing is quite the same as a day/night game which you get here at Canterbury but the atmosphere is always brilliant at Beckenham.
“It is wherever you play twenty20, but Beckenham's obviously a bit more special to me.”
Source: www.thisislocallondon.co.uk
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