Life-saver cop hailed a hero
PC Scott Wolstenholme
A QUICK-thinking off-duty police officer has been hailed a hero after racing to the rescue of a little girl who was choking on her tongue.
PC Scott Wolstenholme, a roads policing officer based at Leigh, was in the car with his family when he spotted Gemma Lake desperately trying to revive her two-year-old niece.
The panic-stricken auntie said the youngsters was “blue and floppy”.
The toddler, whose name has not been released, was having a seizure at the roadside after choking on her tongue.
PC Wolstenholme, himself a father of two young children, used his first aid training to revive the youngster and then kept hold of her until an ambulance arrived.
He also helped explain to paramedics exactly what had happened.
Modest PC Wolstenholme said: “The child was completely unresponsive – I could not see her breathing.
“It’s just something you do. It is in your nature. All day every day you are helping people at work.
“I am so pleased at the result.”
Grateful Gemma, 26, described PC Wolstenholme as “one of a kind”. She said: “He jumped out of the car, grabbed her off me and starting tapping her on the back.
“She was still blue so he started slapping her on the back and finally she gasped and could breathe again.
“We were so relieved when the colour came back into her face.
“His prompt action will never be forgotten and he will always be seen as our hero.
“He is one of a kind and a real credit to the police force. I can’t thank him enough.”
And Chief Insp Mark Dexter was also full of praise following the February 23 incident on the A49 near Newton-le-Willows.
He said: “We are immensely proud of Scott’s quick thinking and coolness in an incredibly stressful situation.
“This was undoubtedly terrifying for Gemma and Scott used all his skill and training to take control and administer vital first aid.
“He arguably saved this little girl’s life and is an absolute credit to GMP and the Roads Policing Unit.”
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Weather for Leigh
Sunday 19 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 11 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
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