by Jake Polden
Two men from Normans Bay are to receive Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificates after saving the life of a holidaymaker who collapsed after going into cardiac arrest.
Working in a shop within Normans Bay Caravan Park, John Thorley, who used to be a nurse, called out to neighbour Mick Mortlock for assistance after seeing visitor Jim Allwright collapse.
Using techniques learnt from an advert by the British Heart Foundation, the pair set about reviving the 71-year old who, at the time, was showing no signs of life.
Speaking to the Eastbourne Herald, the Foundation’s secretary Dick Wilkinson said: “They called for an ambulance and began to administer hands-only cardiac pulmonary resuscitation.
“When the ambulance arrived they continued to assist as the defibrillator was set up and used.”
Praising the pair for their swift action he concluded: “Both men richly deserve their awards. They literally brought Mr Allwright back from the brink of death.”
Jim Allwright, who has since recovered, also thanked the men for their life-saving actions.
The pair, who will be presented with their awards in the near future, received further praise from SE Coast ambulance service as well as the British Heart Foundation.
