St John honour for life-saver Emily, 11 (From Tewkesbury Admag)

St John honour for life-saver Emily, 11

A COTSWOLD girl was honoured by St John Ambulance yesterday after her quick thinking saved a playmate's life.

Emily Topping, aged 11, from Wyck Rissington, was presented with her award at Condicote Village Hall last night for looking after a friend who had suffered a playground accident.

The quick-thinking Cotswold School pupil was on holiday in the Isle of Wight when her cool head made the difference between life and death for her friend Charlotte Taylor.

The youngster had fallen off a climbing frame and banged her head, which caused her to start having a fit.

With her friend's mum, Sue Taylor, and several other children in the playground it was Emily, then aged 10, who took charge.

Calling the ambulance service on her mobile phone, she calmly relayed instructions to the girl's mother while comforting her friend and keeping her warm and comfortable.

In recognition of her actions, St John Ambulance have named her as the runner-up in the Young First Aider of the Year competition.

Emily was modest about her life-saving actions. "Luckily I had done a first aid course just before I went on holiday so I knew what to do.

"My friend's mum lifted her head and made sure her airway was clear and I wrapped my coat around her to keep her warm. It was really horrible and scary.

"The ambulance arrived and they said I had done well."

Emily was put forward for the honour by her friends at the 1st Bourton Brownies Unit.

Her mother, Martelle Hullmann, said: "I am very proud of how calm she stayed among all of the panic that was going on around her."