Heroic student awarded after saving a woman’s life

A student nurse at the University of Wolverhampton has been recognised at the West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Excellence in the Community Awards after saving a woman’s life.

Olivia Jane Hanson, who studies Adult Nursing, helped save a woman’s life who had suffered a cardiac arrest while shopping in Brierley Hill last year.

The 27-year-old rushed to the rescue after spotting a crowd surrounding a woman lying on the floor in the high street.

After calling for an ambulance, Olivia dropped her bags and began performing CPR alongside local butcher, Gordon Tranter.

Putting her knowledge from her degree into action and following instructions from West Midlands Ambulance Service, the student nurse carried out chest compressions and gave rescue breaths until the ambulance arrived.

Following the extraordinary efforts of Olivia and Gordon, the woman recovered from the incident and is now happy and well.

After hearing about the heroic acts of two anonymous lifesavers, Councillor Adam Davies, Ward Councillor for Brierley Hill at Dudley Council, reached out on Facebook for the local heroes to come forward.

Councillor Davies nominated the pair for the West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Excellence in the Community Awards for which both were commended for their bravery and commitment on November 17.

Olivia, who is in her final year at the University of Wolverhampton, said: “When I realised what was happening, my adrenaline had just taken over. All I could think was ‘I really need to save this lady’, she could be someone’s mother, sister, wife, or grandmother – I wasn’t stopping until I could do everything in my power to save her.

“The sense of relief when I felt a pulse coming back, was a feeling like no other.

“The whole experience was so surreal. As soon as the lady was transferred into the ambulance, that was it - I got to my car and carried on with my day. Then when I saw the post on Facebook, I thought ‘that’s me!’

“I’m so honoured to have been recognised, I feel like I did what anyone would do in an emergency situation, but I’m so proud to have saved a life and have never been more certain about my career as a nurse.”

Cllr Adam Davies said: "I'm so glad that Olivia has now officially received this award which she so rightly deserves. 

"Between them, Olivia and Gordon did a very special thing, they saved a life. I really hope the story of the role they both played will help to inspire other student nurses, town centre butchers and others to do exactly what Olivia and Gordon did when that awful moment came - to step up and try." 

For further information about nursing, visit: www.wlv.ac.uk/nursing

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