From EDP24…
10 May 2006 06:25
When ambulance officer Rob Lawrence turned up to answer a 999 call and spotted a bunch of hoodie-wearing teenagers gathered around an unconsc-ious man, he feared the worst.
But instead of finding thugs intent on robbing the man, he was surprised to discover the lads had used their hoodies to keep him warm and that they were the ones who had called for help.
The public-spirited youths had even helped track down the ill man’s family by putting the sim card from his mobile phone in one of their own to trace a home number.
Today all five of teenagers – Keiren Bloomfield, Oliver Edwards, Tim Feavyour, Craig Casey and Lloyd Palfrey – will get a commendation from the ambulance service for their efforts in helping the man in a Beccles park.
Mr Lawrence admitted he had jumped to conclusions about when he first found them at Derby Road park.
“I stereotyped the boys standing over the patient and prepared for a hostile situation – I thought it was a mugging in progress,” he said.
“Once I got to the scene, I could immediately see the good the boys had done. Their assessment of the situation was spot on and allowed me to take over treatment.
“The part played by the boys in the delivery of patient care and their selfless approach and public spirit was superb.”
The patient was stabilised, taken by ambulance to the James Paget Hospital, Gorleston, and later discharged.
Mr Lawrence said he had stayed in touch with the patient and his family and they too wished to express their gratitude for the kind actions of the boys.
