A Brent police officer has been hailed after using his skills to save the life of a man who had collapsed in the street.
On March 27, Detective Sergeant Christopher Gadd, a crime advisor at Wembley police station, was travelling home after finishing his shift.
Upon leaving Great Missenden station, he noticed a large crowd forming around a bus stop.
He noticed a man, in his 50s, had collapsed on the floor after suffering from a heart attack. As the man fell, his head had become trapped between a lamppost and a wire fence. His face was blue, eyes glazed and he had stopped breathing.
DS Gadd, who wishes not to be pictured, realised that his emergency life support skills could help save this man's life, reassuring the crowd that he is a police officer.
He instructed others to help free the man's trapped body, ensuring not to cause further injury, and then placed the man in the recovery position and ensured an ambulance was on its way.
He assessed the situation and commenced chest compressions on the man, talking through his actions to reassure the crowd. He kept the chest compressions going, continuously checking for signs of life until the paramedics arrived.
Upon the ambulance arrival, a defibrillator was used and DS Gadd continued chest compressions until a pulse was found and the man started breathing again.
The man was taken to hospital and has since been discharged, expecting to make a full recovery.
Detective Gadd said: "I am so pleased that the man is expected to make a full recovery.
"I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to Hannah, Sergio and Simon from the Stoke Mandeville Ambulance Station. They are the real heroes."
Detective Superintendent Tariq Sarwar said: “This type of incident demonstrates the diverse nature of policing and the bravery and professionalism of police officers on and off duty.
"A truly brilliant piece of work by Chris, supported by colleagues in the health service.
"I am very proud and delighted that this incident had a happy ending with the patient making a full recovery."
