A firefighter has won an award after his quick-thinking saved the life of a motorcyclist after a crash near Lichfield.
Christopher Craddock was off duty when he came across the accident involving a biker and a pedestrian in March last year.
After discovering the motorcyclist was not not breathing, he removed the biker’s helmet to open his airway – a move which paid off instantly as the rider took a gasp of air and began to breath.
His quick-thinking earned Chris a West Midlands Ambulance Service Award – but he put his actions down to the knowledge he gained in his day job.
He explained:
“Without my firefighter training, I wouldn’t have known what to do. My role as a firefighter also meant that I was able to request the required emergency services when I dialled 999 and on their arrival I quickly debriefed them so everyone could act quickly.
“I received phone calls from both the man’s wife to express her gratitude and to tell me he was stable and also the biker himself once he was out of hospital.
“For me, it didn’t matter that I was off duty and I just did what anyone else would have done – tried to help the injured people. I’m just glad no lives were lost that day and that I was able to help. It is an honour to receive a commendation for my actions but it honestly felt like I was just doing my job.”
Chris’ actions earned him the Chief Officer’s Commendation in the West Midlands Ambulance Service Awards.
