Staff commend school teachers for saving pupils life

Four teachers at Castle Newnham School in Bedford have received commendations from us for their outstanding efforts in saving a young boy’s life at school.

On 10^th January, the four-year-old boy was eating lunch when he began to choke on his food. Immediately nearby teachers Idi Diallo, Julia Smith, Jo Kearney, and Rachel Mellor swooped into action and called 999.

Thankfully, after following the expert advice from Call Handler Hugo Brice, the teachers were able to dislodge the piece of food obstructing his airway.

Minutes later paramedics Steven Langridge, Jonathan Rhodes, and student paramedics George Bridewell and Sarah Simpson arrived and took over.

 The boy was taken to Bedford Hospital where he went on to make a good recovery before being sent home, and on Monday (27^th February) the lifesaving teachers were awarded with commendations from the Trust.

 Speaking after the meet up, Steven said: “It is fantastic to see him doing so well and being able to be a young boy enjoying himself at school, it is very heart warming.”

 Idi, who called 999, said: “It was a really scary situation but the advice given over the phone by Hugo was really calming and reassuring, which is just what we needed at the time.”

 Julia added: “It’s lovely to be recognised for what we did, but all that matters is that the young boy is alive now. At the time you don’t think of ‘what if’, but it could well have been a different outcome had the ambulance staff not arrived as quickly as they did.”

Published 1st March, 2017