Praise For Ealing PCs Who Saved Man's Life
Local officers recognised with commendation at awards ceremony
An Ealing police officer who saved a man's life after he suffered a heart attack while driving has been presented with a prestigious award.
PC Nikki Elvin was presented with a Royal Humane Society Certificate of Commendation by Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey ( pic above) at a ceremony held at Empress State Building on Thursday, 22 December.
During the evening of 3 November 2014, PCs Nikki Elvin and Donna Coker attended a road traffic collision in Kensington Road in Northolt.
A 68-year-old motorist had collided with metal railings on the pavement and was lying on his right side, half on the road and half on the pavement.
PC Coker informed PC Elvin that the man was unresponsive. PC Elvin then checked the man for vital signs and but could not find any. She immediately gave rescue breaths and administered chest compressions. PC Elvin gave CPR for about five minutes whilst PC Coker shielded her from the oncoming traffic, with the help of members of the public who had come out of their houses with blankets.
During this time the man started to make attempts to breathe himself but they were very weak, so PC Elvin continued until the ambulance could be heard approaching. Due to the exhausting nature of CPR, PC Coker took over the compressions, without breaths, and PC Elvin went to meet the ambulance and appraise them.
Upon the arrival of the London Ambulance Service, the man weakened. PC Coker resumed compressions for a couple of minutes whilst the paramedics prepared a defibrillator. Once he was stabilised and breathing for himself the paramedics transferred him to a west London hospital with PC Elvin as the continuity officer. PC Elvin stayed at the hospital and supported the family whilst acting as a liaison between them and the medical team.
The man had suffered a cardiac arrest and required open heart surgery. He responded well to treatment and made a good recovery. The heart specialist doctor at the hospital made it very clear that the CPR carried out by the officers at the scene undoubtedly saved the motorist's life.
PC Elvin has kept in regular contact with man and his family.
Ealing Borough commander Chief Superintendent Paul Martin, said: "If it was not for PC Elvin and PC Coker's actions this man would not be alive today. Through their actions they have shown true professionalism."
PC Coker received her award at an earlier ceremony.
4th January 2017