Two police officers saved a newborn baby’s life while out on patrol in Sunderland.
Two-week-old Lenny-Lee began to choke in The Bridges Shopping Centre just four days before Christmas last year.
Desperate for help, panicked mum Arleen Avery immediately flagged down patrolling Northumbria Police PCs Andy Hutchinson and Lee Fenwick as her little boy battled for his life.
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The officers then whisked the mum and baby to A&E at Sunderland Royal Hospital by blue lights.
Now the heroic PCs have been reunited with thankful mum Arleen and baby Lenny-Lee at her Wearside home after he made a full recovery.
“I was in total shock,” Arleen, 31, said. “Lenny-Lee was foaming at the mouth and it was just sheer panic. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Honestly, I can’t remember much about it – it’s all a blur. But thank goodness these two officers were on hand to help. I can’t thank them enough for saving my son’s life.
“If they weren’t there, goodness knows what might have happened. They got us to hospital so quickly – it’s amazing, really. As a family, we owe them so much.”
After spending a night in hospital on December 22, Lenny-Lee returned home the next day and is now thankfully on the mend.
And the tot was given a special police teddy bear to cuddle by PCs Hutchinson and Fenwick after his ordeal.
Looking back on the incident, PC Hutchinson said: “We were on patrol in the city centre when Arleen ran over and said her two-week-old son was choking.
“He looked in a bad way so we knew we had to act quickly. Thankfully, everything worked out fine and he was OK – that’s the main thing.
“I’ve seen a lot of things as a police officer and not much phases me – but this certainly put that to the test. I’m just so pleased that Lenny-Lee is safe and well.
“As police officers, we are there to help – to protect the public, whatever the age. You come to work every day hoping to make a difference and I think we certainly managed it that day. It’s a shift I will never forget.”
Chief Inspector Neil Hall, of Northumbria Police, heaped praise on both PCs for their heroic intervention.
He said: “This was an incredibly difficult situation to be faced with – and both PCs had to make life-saving decisions under significant pressure and duress.
“There is little doubt that they saved Lenny-Lee’s life that day and they should be incredibly proud of themselves.
“I would like to personally thank both officers for their outstanding professionalism and determination – and am so pleased that this has ended in a positive outcome.”
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