Two Asda workers have been hailed for helping a shopper who fell out of her mobility scooter after accidentally pressing the accelerator while trying to get something from the bottom shelf. Crystal Harwood and Kealey Smith had only just finished their first aid training when the incident involving an 84-year-old shopper happened.
They managed to stem the bleeding from the woman's head and kept her calm and comfortable while they waited for the paramedics to arrive. The disabled woman's daughter has since been in store to thank the two women and to say her mum, who suffered a fractured eye socket and broken nose, is making a good recovery.
During her ordeal at Asda's store in Farnworth, in the Bolton area of Greater Manchester, the injured woman said she had survived the bombing of Manchester during the Second World War and if Hitler couldn't kill her, falling out of her mobility scooter in Asda wasn't going to either.
Crystal, 35, who is bakery and counters section leader, said they were thrown in at the deep end so quickly after their first aid training. She said: "It's so different being in a real-life scenario as during our training we were just working on dummies.
"The training was so good and I learned such a lot and I'm glad I put it to good use so quickly. After we put pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding, we just kept her calm and talked to her about all sorts.
"She got cold at one point soo we got her a quilt to keep her warm. I'm just glad she is okay now and doing well."
Kealey, 32 and George section leader, said: "We learned so much on the first aid course, but we never thought we'd have to put it into practice so soon. We'd only just got back into the store, but we just knew what to do straight away.
"The first aid course was so good. I wanted to do it to make a difference and hopefully I have. If anyone is thinking of going on one I'd definitely recommend it.
"I felt so sorry for the lady. We just kept her warm, reassured her and chatted to her while we waited for the ambulance to arrive. She had really banged her head so it could have been a lot worse.
"The lady's daughter has been into the store since to thank us and said that her mum was making a good recovery."
Tracey Smillie, the store's GM and George trading manager, said the whole store was proud of Crystal and Kealey. She said: "They were amazing, so calm and very professional, and to think they had just finished their first aid course.
"They weren't nervous at all, they just got on with it. It was their first shift back in store and they hadn't been in that long when they got the call out – you couldn't make it up really.
"The lady was in a mobility scooter and as she'd tried to get something off the bottom shelf she accidentally put her foot on the accelerator and toppled out, hitting her face and head. She kept saying to us that she'd survived bombings in Manchester during the war so 'if Hitler couldn't kill me this wasn't going to'.
"She suffered a fractured eye socket and a broken nose, but she is now recovering."
Store manager Jennie Court added: "Straight out of your training and into quite a serious accident! It didn’t phase either of you. Well done and thank you." Crystal and Kealey have now been nominated for Asda service superstar awards for the way they helped the lady.
Praise on social media
There was praise for both women on Facebook. Hazel Valerie Riley said: "Well done Crystal and Kelley, you did a wonderful thing, helping the lady and making her comfortable. Your first time, so lucky you had your first aid training, you’re kind caring young ladies. Congratulations again, love to you both xxx"
Celina Powell said: "Well done Crystal and Kealey 4 years ago 2 first aiders saved my Dad’s life twice, as he had died twice. Thanks to them he is still here now. I have every respect for what you do."
Carol Hayes said: "Massive congratulations on your quick thinking and caring - all your training proved how important first aid is working in an environment with so many people - it must feel so good that you were able to help the lady after her fall - Asda must be proud of you both."
And Carol Elizabeth Kumar said: "Well done Crystal and Kelley you did a great job looking after the lady. You were both her Guardian Angels."
