LORRY drivers will be trained to save lives with the help of West Midlands Ambulance Service as part of a national road safety scheme.

The Drive First Assist was launched this week and aims to give professional drivers first aid training so they can lend a hand if they are the first at the scene of an accident.

The drivers will learn the live saving skills at a one day course covering first aid and scene management, which has been produced by the West Midlands Ambulance Service with help from the Central Motorways Police Group
Drivers from the logistics industry will be the first to receive training in the coming months.

Dr Anthony Marsh, AACE Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “Sadly, road traffic collisions sometimes result in people suffering life threatening injuries where every minute counts to their chances of survival.

“By providing professional drivers, who are often first to witness or come across such incidents, with basic life support training and the knowledge to know what to do will ultimately mean patients get the care they need whilst emergency help is en route.”

David Higginbottom from Driver First Assist added: “Our vision is for thousands of trained personnel equipped to take action in the first critical moments after an RTC.”