FOUR school friends ended up turning potential life savers by showing the piece of mind to care for a man who suffered a seizure.
And the person they heled, Andy Jones, paid tribute to the in a special reunion at Hyde’s Alder Community High School.
Year 10 pupils Jake Cookson, Logan Fuller, Sam Willerton and James Leader leapt into action when the 47-year-old suffered a seizure and tumbled on to a disused railway track on Thursday, October 6.
Two of the boys, who had received first aid training, placed Andy in the recovery position and provided first aid while the other two called an ambulance and went to the street to meet paramedics and direct them to the casualty.
They also cared for Andy’s anxious dog, retrieved and returned his mobile phone, keys and money that had been scattered when he fell, and stayed with him until he was safe.
The father-of-one spent the night at Tameside Hospital but subsequent tests and scans have given him the all clear.
He later tracked the boys down to thank them personally and give them all a reward.
The four met Andy – who was walking his dog along the Trans Pennine Trail, close to Waverley Road in Gee Cross when he began to feel unwell – at the nearby school on Friday, October 21 where they were praised by their headteacher Richard O’Regan.
Andy, a floor layer, said: “It was straight out of the blue and was a shock. It’s all a bit of a blur.
“It’s very lucky that someone was there and as quickly as they were. If it wasn’t for the lads I hate to think how long I could have been there.
“Kids get a bad reputation these days and I wanted to thank them and when I met them they were all top kids.
“I will always be indebted to them for what they did for me. They deserve credit.
“I am first aid trained myself and have said before this incident on numerous occasions that I think basic first aid should be part of the national curriculum from the earliest age possible.”
The pupils did their first aid training through the Duke of Edinburgh scheme, facilitated by the school.
All four were presented with their Altruism Badge by Mr O’Regan, who said: “I’m extremely proud of Jake, Logan, Sam and James, whose actions embody the ethos of the school.
“They showed quick thinking and stayed calm under pressure to use their first aid skills and alert the emergency services.
“They acted in such a caring and compassionate way to ensure that Andy was safe and I’m delighted that he has recovered.
“Our school encourages first aid training through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme and this incident shows how valuable this is and how well these pupils retained their training.”
Tameside Council executive member for education, Councillor Leanne Feeley, also praised the four, saying: “Jake, Logan, Sam and James are a real credit to their school.
“Thank goodness they were there and able to act so calmly and carefully.
“It just goes to show the value of learning first aid, you never know when it might be needed and, as in this case, it can prove vital.”