Heroes walk among us

When a lorry crashed on the M6 in Staffordshire, quick thinking medical student Emily Hancock was able to put her training into practice.

And what a strange site it must have been. The teenager, from Uttoxter, was dressed for her school leavers’ ball, when she tended to the injured lorry driver.

Now studying medicine at Leed’s University, Emily was able to pull the driver out of harm’s reach, and dress his head using knowledge she had learnt as a cadet for St John Ambulance.

Emily Hancock was awarded with a medal at St John Ambulance Young Achievers’ Reception at Buckingham Palace last week.

Also receiving an award was Bradley Ford. The 21-year old was the first at the scene of an horrific coach crash in the village of Alton, Staffordshire. In the crash one man died and 70 were injured. Its affects will be permanently etched on Bradley Ford’s memory. Patients were treated across Staffordshire and at hospitals in the surrounding area including the University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Both Bradley Ford and Emily Hancock were able to put into practice the training of Staffordshire’s St John Ambulance Service when faced with injuries.

I only hope that youngsters are continuing to sign up and that the efforts of Bradley Ford and Emily Hancock can be seen as a shining example.