27 January 2010
Charlie Tsangarides was hailed a hero
after helping to save the life of his nan.
The 11-year-old from Hammersmith rushed to her
aid when she collapsed while looking after him in November last
year.
The London Ambulance Service crew who treated
his nan, Gail Turner, were so impressed with what Charlie did that
they met with him again at Fulham station to present him with a
certificate for his actions.
Gail was looking after Charlie and three of
his young cousins when she went into anaphylactic shock.
Charlie put her in the recovery position,
called 999, went to ask his neighbour to look after the other
children and helped the crew find her medication.
Fulham Paramedic Ian McIntyre and Student
Paramedic Kate Clarke met with Charlie, Gail and Charlie’s mum at
the station. Emergency Medical Technician Keith Lister was also
part of the crew.
Gail recalled: “I started itching like crazy –
it felt like someone had thrown itching powder all over me. I went
into Charlie’s bedroom and sat on his bed and the next thing I knew
I passed out.
“I could hear everything but couldn’t move or
speak. Charlie was a hero in all of our estimations that day. When
I was in the hospital he wouldn’t leave my side. I dread to think
what might have happened if he hadn’t been there.”
Gail was taken to Charing Cross Hospital and
discharged the next day with an EpiPen (a device to inject
adrenaline, used by people who suffer from severe allergies and
risk anaphylactic shock). It is thought she may have had a reaction
to anti-inflammatory tablets.
Ian added: “It was quite a scary situation to
be faced with but Charlie kept very calm and helped us a great
deal. He did a fantastic job in helping to save the life of his
nan.”
- Ends -
Notes to editors
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- Londoners are being asked to ‘choose well’ and consider other
options before calling 999, as part of a campaign to encourage
appropriate use of the NHS across the capital. For more information
visit the choose
well section of our website.
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