HIP Exclusive: Apprentice saves fellow engineer’s life

A 20-year-old apprentice gas engineer realized in the nick of time that a fellow engineer was having a heart attack when he complained about chest pains, a headache and tingling in his left arm. Recognising the symptoms, Chris Spencer, from Stockport, immediately called for an ambulance and also informed the engineer’s employer. His prompt actions may have saved a life.

Chris is currently completing his Level 2 at the Greater Manchester Skills Centre and is doing his apprenticeship at the Dodd Group.

He said: “The lad I was working with has had heart problems before and he usually works on his own, but I just so happened to be with him that day. He was saying that he felt ill and I told him he should go home, but he said he’d be alright.

“He got progressively worse: he looked pale and had a bad headache. When we set off on our next job, he pulled over so I could get him a bottle of water. When I came back he was slumped over the steering wheel and saying he could feel a tingle in his left arm.”

Chris is now grateful for the previous Health and Safety training he received at college.

“You never really think you’re going to use it, but you just never know,” he said. “I first went to call his wife because I was shocked but then it clicked that I needed to call an ambulance immediately.

“The paramedics were with him in two minutes. He was sort of asleep – it was a strange thing to witness.

“Thankfully he’s now out of hospital after receiving treatment so I’m looking forward to seeing him soon when he’s feeling up to it. I found out at 7pm that night that he was OK because his wife phoned me to let me know.”

The Dodd Group presented Chris with a gift for his quick thinking, care and Health and Safety awareness.

HIP Magazine is on a mission to promote Health and Safety training, as it really does make a difference to peoples lives. If you know any other HIP Heroes please let us know by emailing editor@sng-publishing.co.uk.

 


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