Shropshire Star

River rescue hero re-trains as first aider after saving baby from Severn

A council worker who helped save a baby from drowning in the icy River Severn has retrained as a first aider.

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Mickey Bramall was working along the river in Castlefields, Shrewsbury, when the eight-month-old baby fell in.

His colleagues James Williams and Andrew Hill dived into the water to assist, while Mr Bramall threw a lifebelt and helped bring the three back to the side.

He is now urging other people to follow his lead and learn first aid skills. When Mr Bramall brought the baby out of the water he used first aid to clear the water from the girl's lungs and help her breathe again.

He recently re-qualified as a first aider, at St John Ambulance's training centre in Shrewsbury, and now wants everyone to learn life-saving skills.

"Knowing what to do in an emergency, where someone is sick or injured, is just about the most vital lesson anyone can learn," said Mickey, who re-trained as part of his role with Shrewsbury Town Council.

"I'm so glad I was able to help that little girl last year, and – thanks to my St John Ambulance training – I have the knowledge, skills and confidence to give first aid in any situation that might arise in future."

Mr Bramall, who was presented with a Royal Humane Society award for his part in the baby's rescue in February 2015, added: "Everyone should learn first aid, because you never know when you might need to help someone."

St John Ambulance offers first aid training, plus other health and safety qualifications to businesses from its base in Priory Road, and trainers can also deliver courses in the workplace.

The charity's lead trainer for the Midlands, Mark Jackson delivered Mickey's course and said: "Every time I train someone, I take great satisfaction in knowing that I'm equipping them with the skills to be the difference between a life lost and a life saved."

At the time, the three men spoke about their experience.

Mr Williams said: "We just ran and jumped straight in, myself and my colleague Andy Hill and at this point the pushchair was submerged and the baby was face down.

"It was a question of turning the pram over and trying to release the baby from the pushchair, which we managed to do even though it was extremely cold."

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