Council staff praised for saving pensioner in Newtownabbey

The four members of the local authority’s parks team discovered the woman lying outside Whiteabbey Hospital last month.

David Strain, Syd Stubbs, Billy Turner and Jordan Cooke were able to place the woman in the recovery position and clear her airways while the emergency services were being contacted.

They then waited with the woman and her daughter until paramedics arrived at the scene.

Speaking to the Times, Syd said: “We are glad we were able to help the lady. We have our first aid training and were able to use it.

“We saved the day for her and I’m glad we discovered her when we did.”

The men were invited to a special reception at the Mayor’s parlour in Antrim Civic Centre today (Thursday).

Praising the men for their kindhearted effort, Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Cllr Jim Montgomery said: “I am extremely proud of our four members of staff and their swift actions which undoubtedly saved this lady’s life.

“To be able to maintain a calm attitude and act with such professionalism under highly pressured circumstances is to be commended. They are a true inspiration and it is a privilege to be able to recognise their heroic act.”

North Belfast DUP MLA Paula Bradley has branded the men’s actions on the day as “exceptional”.

Speaking to this newspaper, Ms Bradley said: “First, my thoughts are with the lady and her daughter and I would hope she has made a full and speedy recovery.

“The council staff are to be commended for their remarkable actions on the day in question. What they did was exceptional!

“Every day we hear about Covid and the impact it is having on our community, but on this occasion, it did not even cross the minds of these guys.

“They got on with the job in hand and saved that woman’s life. That is to be commended and should be celebrated.”

Party colleague, Cllr Alison Bennington added: “I was horrified to learn that a woman from the Doagh Road area has been ill, collapsed and was unconscious, but on hearing about the Antrim and Newtownabbey Council staff members who assisted her on that day, well I have only admiration and great respect for the guys.

“I would like to say a big thank you to them for their act of kindness and going the extra mile to save someone’s life.”

Cllr Bennington hopes the woman and her daughter can meet up with the council staff when it is safe to do so.

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