Praise for Jemma's heroic efforts (From Ledbury Reporter)

Praise for Jemma's heroic efforts

1:20am Friday 1st August 2008

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A TWELVE-year-old girl used first aid skills she learnt at Ledbury Primary School in a bid to save her great-uncle, who had collapsed outside his home with a suspected heart attack.

Jemma Hill, now a pupil of the John Masefield High School, phoned for an ambulance when Alfred “Pip” Parry fell from his mobility scooter outside his Lawnside Road flat.

She also used heart-massage techniques in a desperate bid to revive the 81-year-old.

Her mother, Jo Hill said: “I am immensely proud of her. She was amazing, got down on her hands and knees, and didn’t panic once.

“But obviously it was very upsetting for her, and Pip was like a father to me.”

Mrs Hill had to disentangle Mr Parry from his mobility scooter before her daughter could attempt heart massage under the street’s cherry trees.

Jemma learnt first aid at Ledbury Primary School and, until other adults arrived on the scene, she was the only person there who was trained in the potentially life-saving technique.

Several witnesses now believe that Jemma deserves an award for her astonishing presence of mind and actions.

Praise has also been lavished on Digby Allen, who came across the scene when walking his dog and immediately attempted mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on Mr Parry, who had stopped breathing.

Lawnside Road resident Janet Meredith said: “Digby was a true hero and Jemma deserves any award going.”

She also praised another Ledbury man who took over heart massage when Jemma began to tire.

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