Children at a primary school in Stevenage have been learning life-saving skills after a teacher's sister went into cardiac arrest and had her life saved by a stranger who knew CPR.
Michelle D’Arcy was having lunch at the Our Mutual Friend pub opposite, and the off-duty school crossing patrol officer rushed to help when she witnessed the crash.
Seeing Kay was in cardiac arrest, Michelle started CPR immediately, before paramedics arrived.
Kay, who made a full recovery thanks to Michelle's fast actions, now has an internal defibrillator and pacemaker fitted.
Senior paramedic Rachel Trengrove, who attended the scene, said: "This shows the importance of everyone learning basic life-saving skills, as you never know when it will be needed. It can help play a part in saving a person’s life, as happened with Kay."
This month, Year 5 children at St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in Stevenage have been learning CPR, to mark February being Heart Month.
The life-saving workshop was set up by Kay's sister, Elaine Glover, who is a teacher at the school.
She said the children were excited to learn the skills after she shared her sister's story.
Elaine said: "They all listened and really concentrated, and they all practised the skills they were being taught. I know how thrilled they were to have this workshop."
Kay, who also attended the workshop, added: "It was quite emotional watching them because it brought back what somebody did for me.
"Hopefully they will go away and use it if they need to in the future."
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