A FIREFIGHTER used his first aid skills to save the life of a choking woman during a dramatic roadside incident.

Sheina Stockton, aged 48, from Upton, has paid tribute to the calmness with which Ledbury-based Andy Phillips went about the rescue.

Mr Phillips has now been put forward for a commendation from the Chief Fire Officer, David O'Dwyer.

The part-time firefighter was driving along Gloucester Road, a few miles outside Ledbury, when he noticed the car in front being driven erratically.

Passenger Mrs Stockton, a specialist teacher who is also chairman of the Hill Community Association, was choking on a piece of apple that had lodged in her throat, completely blocking the airway.

The driver, a female friend of Mrs Stockton, was banging her on the back in a desperate bid to save her.

When the car pulled over, Mr Phillips, who was off duty at the time, did not hesitate to pull over too and see if he could help.

He said: "I had seen the driver hitting someone on the back. I knew Mrs Stockton had been given numerous back slaps, but my training helped me to keep calm, although she was a funny colour through a lack of air."

Mr Phillips, 35, did not hesitate to give Mrs Stockton three abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich Manoeuvre, and had the final effect of opening the airway.

Mr Phillips, who is married with two children, said: "Quite possibly I did save her life. She was struggling."

Mrs Stockton herself is in no doubt. She said: "It was so scary. He did save my life. The back slaps did nothing. I could not breathe at all.

"Andy dislodged the apple enough for me to get some air, though the apple was not dislodged completely.

"Throughout, he was so immensely calm and reassuring and just took control of the situation."

By the time the ambulance arrived, Mrs Stockton was breathing more easily and did not go to hospital. A week since the rescue, she still has a sore throat.

Station Officer Bryan Morgan, who has put forward Mr Phillips for the commendation, said: "I have recommended Andy for the calm manner he displayed and the fact that his training took over, even though he was off duty and had an important meeting to attend.

"He stopped and did everything correctly and his actions went beyond duty."