Bucknell lifesaver Ian becomes community first responder

A transport worker from Shropshire has become a community first responder - a year after he helped save the life of his sister who had suffered a cardiac arrest.

Ian Owen, 51, of Bucknell saved the life of his sister Mandy last April and decided to use the experience to help others.

He has trained in CPR and using a defibrillator, a device used to restart the heart of someone who has suffered a cardiac arrest, with the West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Mr Owen sprung into action after his sister fell ill while talking over the phone to her cousin. She spent three weeks in hospital, including four days in intensive care and a day in a high dependency unit but has since made a full recovery.

He said: "After what happened with my sister I thought it was a good idea to go on to become a become a community first responder."

He can now attend, assess and treat a wider range of medical issues while an ambulance is on its way.

He is one of two new CFRs in the village. The other is Nicky Edwards, 40.