Charlie thanks life-saving nurses after help from Advertiser readers

Retired Advertiser journalist Charlie (66) appealed for help to identify the two off-duty nurses who came to his aid in the street after he suddenly became ill.

Life-saving duo Tracy Maher and Jenni Webb (below) were identified after the Advertiser article two weeks ago.

Charlie visited Rotherham Hospital on Monday, when he hugged nurse specialist Tracy and presented her with a bunch of flowers.

He also handed over one for Jenni who was unable to attend due to illness.

Charlie said: “They were a token of my appreciation, although nothing could adequately express my thanks for what they did.

“There is no doubt that without their efforts I wouldn’t be here today.”

The modest duo had just finished their shifts when they came to Charlie’s aid.

Clinical nurse specialist Jenni was first on the scene after he collapsed near his home in Mile Oak Road, Broom. She made him as comfortable as possible before phoning for an ambulance.

Tracy - a nurse since 1985 - arrived later and put her coat around Charlie as they waited.

She recalled: “It was obvious he was in a serious condition and I just wanted to keep him warm until help came.

“But as the minutes ticked by and no ambulance arrived, we realised that he needed hospital attention quickly so I went for my car.

“I was thinking; ‘Don’t run too fast. You don’t want to trip up’.”

Tracy drove the three of them to A&E, before Charlie was transferred to Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital, where a stent was fitted to unblock an artery to his heart. 

He is now making a good recovery at home.

Tracy added: “I didn’t know the outcome until I read the story in the Advertiser.

“I’m so relieved everything has turned out okay and Charlie is looking so well.”