TWO young first aiders who saved the life of a tramp lying unconscious on a railway line are to receive medals for bravery from the Queen.
Fifteen-year-old Tamie Kellard and her sister Charlene, aged 13, were nominated for a Royal Humane Society testimonial after hauling the man, from the path of an oncoming train on Wednesday, August 8.
Spotting him lying in a crumpled heap near Pershore Station, quick-thinking Tamie jumped down on to the track and opened his airways, while Charlene flagged down a passing lorry driver to help haul him on to the platform.
The sisters, who are both members of the St John Ambulance, eased him into the recovery position before he was taken by ambulance to Ronkswood A&E.
Although their names were put forward to the Society by the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police, the Pershore High School pupils were still stunned to hear they had received one of the prestigious awards.
"When I heard, I broke down," said Tamie, who has also scooped the Co-op community action award for Pershore.
"Charlene was ecstatic. She's always in a good mood, but that day she was over the moon."
The honorary medal has rewarded men and women who have risked all to save a life since it was first awarded in 1776.
Christopher Tyler, secretary of the Royal Humane Society, described the story as heart-warming.
"These girls were in a race against time to save the life of a man who really only had himself to blame for the predicament he was in," he said.
Tamie, who is the proud owner of corporal stripes in first aid, became concerned for the "drunken" man, who had been sitting on a nearby bench as she and her sister waited for a train.
He suddenly disappeared, leaving behind a carrier bag of bottles.
Peering over the edge of the platform, the teenager, of Abbey View, Pinvin, was horrified to see him lying still on the track.
After putting her first aid skills into practice, the man began to breathe more easily before Charlene, a St John Ambulance cadet, returned with a lorry driver, tissues and water.
Four months on, Tamie said she had not heard what happened to the man - believed to be an Evesham tramp named Graham Smith - and was anxious to know what had happened to him
"I'd love to see him, to see how he's doing," she said.
If anyone knows the whereabouts of the man call Melanie Hall on 01905 748200 ext 283.
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