Blackburn schoolgirl, 14, saves pal choking on a toffee

A QUICK-thinking schoolgirl has been honoured for saving the life of her classmate.

Hannah Morris sprang into action when her friend, Georgina Newby, 14, from Hoghton, was choking on a sweet while the teacher was out of the room at St Wilfrid’s School, Duckworth Street, Blackburn.

Using first aid skills learned with the local air cadets group, the 14-year-old performed three ‘back blows’ on her friend, who was unable to speak, dislodging the sweet and saving her life.

This week Hannah, a cadet corporal, was given a surprise St John Ambulance life-saving award in front of her colleagues at the 1262 Blackburn air cadets squadron, at Witton Stocks in Preston Old Road.

She said: “Everyone clapped. It was a big shock. I didn’t expect to get an award.”

Recalling the incident, on the first day of term in September, she said: “We were in a lesson and the teacher had gone out of the room.

“I looked at my friend and she was red in the face and waving her hand in front of her neck.

“I asked if she could cough, but she couldn’t even speak, so I gave her three back blows, which is what you’re meant to do.

“She was a bit in shock after so I gave her some water.

"She’s a good friend and afterwards she said I had saved her life.”

Hannah had learned the techniques the previous summer at a first aid course with the cadets.

Georgina said: “I just want to thank her for helping me and being there.

"I’m really happy she has been recognised for helping me.

"She was at the right place at the right time.”

Flight Lieutenant Dion Etheridge nominated her for the award, which was presented by the commanding officer for the East Lancashire wing.

He said: “This is a young girl who was faced with a life and death situation and had the guts, determination and confidence to make a decision and save a life.

“What she did was absolutely brilliant.”