Two Asda workers became “lifesavers” when they stepped in to help a collapsed man who has now thanked them for going “above and beyond their normal job”.
Finola Clarkson, 54, and Lisa Cuppit, 33, were working at an Asda petrol station, in Peterlee, County Durham, when they put their first aid training to use after a man with severe anaemia fell to the floor.
It was Finola who first spotted the man collapse by a petrol pump and Lisa dialled 999 for an ambulance.
They cordoned off the area and kept talking to the man so as to try and keep him conscious while at the same time listening to advice from ambulance control.
"The gentleman was very yellow and kept telling us he needed a blood transfusion. We just kept talking about all sorts of things to keep him conscious,” said Finola.
"It was raining and quite cold so we managed to get him off the ground and onto a chair from the office. We then made the decision to link arms and get him into the building."
They also contacted the man’s wife who came and took him to hospital.
Finola continued: "I think we did well, as the situation could have turned a lot worse. The first aid training that we had automatically kicked in."
Lisa said: "We are very proud of what we did. It's a good job that we were first aid trained. It would have been awful if we weren't.
"By the sounds of it, it's a good job it happened somewhere like here so he could get the help he needed straight away. It was lucky that he pulled in for fuel when he did otherwise it could have happened while he was driving.
"Having first aid is brilliant; everyone should know what to do when confronted by a situation like this.
"It was honestly terrifying, but we helped someone, didn't we, so it was worth it."
The man underwent urgent medical care including several blood transfusions and is still recovering in North Tees Hospital.
But he spoke of his gratitude for the help from the two women.
"The ladies from Asda went above and beyond their normal job role and deserve recognition for their actions. I'd like to thank them so much for everything they did on that day,” he said.
Asda store manager Steven McKenna, also praised the two women stating : "They were absolute superstars, lifesavers! They jumped into action and were able to keep him conscious.
"The gentleman needed emergency medical care and ended up in hospital needing seven pints of blood. The hospital told him that the intervention from our colleagues certainly helped to save the gentleman's life. Well done ladies."
