A TYRONE apprentice has spoken of how his quick actions helped saved the life of a man who suffered a cardiac arrest.
South East Regional College (SERC) student Niall McConnell administered CPR to a man who fell ill at the wheel of a lorry.
The 20-year-old from Clogher is a Level 2 Construction Plant Apprentice based at SERC’s Lisburn Campus.
He was working on site for employer, Pat O'Donnell & Co, distributors of Volvo construction equipment, at Kilroot Power Station in Carrickfergus.
Mr McConnell said he had been working on a Volvo dumper truck when he and workmate, Pearse McMahon, went outside for a break.
"I saw a lorry roll down the yard and crash into a barrier. My immediate thought was that someone had left a handbrake off, so I said to Pearse ‘I’m away over to see what had happened’. When I opened the driver’s door, I saw a man slumped across the seats and just knew that he had had a heart attack," he said.
"The gentleman was unconscious, so I shouted to Pearse to come and help me. I immediately called 999, and raised the alarm with the workshop manager who ran to get the defibrillator."
The pair got the man out of the vehicle onto the ground and Mr McConnell delivered lifesaving CPR which he continued until paramedics and the Air Ambulance arrived five minutes later.
"The ambulance crew thanked us for our swift action and said that what we did made the difference between life and death. Needless to say, we were delighted to see them, and I want to thank them for getting there so quickly," Mr McConnell said.
"I remember learning about CPR back in Sacred Heart College, Omagh, probably back in 2015 when I was in third year from our PE instructor, but I never in my wildest dreams thought I would have to use it. This has been a life changing experience for me and in my view, learning about CPR should be mandatory for everyone - as common as having money or a bank card in your pocket – as you never know when you might need to use it.
"I never thought I would use CPR in my life, and it just goes to show what everyone can do if they have some knowledge of what to do in such a situation that I found myself. I am told the gentleman is on the mend and I wish him a speedy recovery."
Lecturer Jonathan Miskelly, said Mr McConnell was "a great young man".
"He didn't even mention the incident when he came into college, and it was only through his employer that we heard about it. His quick thinking and actions, along with those of his work colleague, saved a man's life which is truly inspirational for all the students and staff at the college and a reminder of how important CPR and first aid skills are in everyday situations," he said.
