Hero women receive life-saving awards

TWO women who fought a life-and-death battle to bring a five-week-old baby back from the brink of death at a town shopping centre while being abused by a passer-by have been awarded national life saving honours.

Fiona Bainbridge (55), of Nidderdale Road, Wingfield, and Anita Smith (28), of  Thornton Street, Meadowbank, are each to receive Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificates following the incident last October.

Fiona was on cleaning duty outside Café Rendezvous at Rotherham Interchange when she was approached by a mother who said her baby was having difficulty breathing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She called for assistance and took the baby to try and help him.

Dick Wilkinson, RHS secretary, explained: “Ms Smith arrived and called an ambulance.

“She then tilted the baby and patted his back to try and clear the blockage. The baby started breathing again but, on two occasions, stopped and had to be given the kiss-of-life.

“Ms Smith also calmed the baby’s family and both women also had to cope with being harassed and verbally abused by a member of the public as they fought to keep the child alive.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“After ten minutes the ambulance arrived and paramedics took the baby to hospital after being told it was not the first time it had stopped breathing.

“Both women gave excellent first aid in very stressful and trying circumstances, and thanks to them, this baby was delivered safely into the arms of paramedics.

“But for their swift action he could well have died. Put frankly they were the right people in the right place at the right time.”

 

Related topics: