A schoolboy on work experience in a cafe and bike shop helped save the life of a man who turned white and became motionless after ordering a cappuccino. Duncan Snell, 78, slumped into his chair and became motionless at the MeCycle cafe and bike shop in Ainsdale in Merseyside.
Sam Kelly, who was 16 at the time, spotted him slouched over his coffee and what he did next at the MeCycle cafe and bike shop helped to save Mr Snell's life, LiverpoolEcho reports. The Formby High School pupil said he was on a break when he noticed something wasn't quite right with the customer.
Sam said: “I was having a break when I noticed he looked strange so I went over to see if everything was alright and asked him if he was ok. He didn’t say anything so I tapped him on the shoulder but he did nothing and looked white.”
Sam went to find his manager and an ambulance was called immediately and the shop was quickly cleared so they could move Duncan onto the floor. Staff ran off and managed to get access to the defibrillator at Ainsdale train station before ripping his shirt open and using it on the pensioner.
Three members of staff began trying to resuscitate him until the ambulance arrived and took him to hospital. After the incident, both Sam and MeCycle owner Vicky Jones were both left in the dark as to whether Duncan survived the ordeal until he walked through the cafe door one day.
Vicky said: "It was like a miracle. We were terrified that the worst happened to Duncan. We had no way of knowing what had happened but we were delighted to see him again."
Duncan said: “If it wasn’t for the bravery and quick thinking of Sam and Vicky then I could have been a goner. I have been back into MeCycle lots of times and I always look out for Sam and say hello and thank you. He really did save my life.”
Sam has also been presented with a bravery award by the headmaster of Formby High in recognition of his actions.
