A SOUTHAMPTON student has been presented with a top lifesaving award after resuscitating an elderly man.

Trainee nurse Christopher Worth has been named by St John Ambulance as the county’s First Aider of the Year after coming to the aid of a man who was having a heart attack.

Christopher, who was celebrating his 21st birthday, gave the man CPR and the kiss of life as his mum dialled 999.

Pat Morris, Commander of St John Ambulance, praised his actions: “He continued CPR for several minutes until the ambulance arrived – you can imagine the intensity and energy involved in this lifesaving action.

“When the paramedics arrived on the scene they were so impressed by his skill that he became part of the team helping to attach the defibrillator that would ultimately power the man’s heart back into a normal rhythm.”

Christopher, now 22, said: “I didn’t have time to think – I just went into auto pilot. I’m just pleased I was in the right place, at the right time.”

He was awarded the silver cup by Dame Mary Fagan, Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, at the charity’s annual awards night at the Great Hall in Winchester.

The event also celebrated the 52nd anniversary of Harry Dymond, from Hedge End, who joined as a cadet in 1951 and has held many voluntary roles both in Hampshire and nationally. He is now President of St John Ambulance in Bitterne.

Mrs Morris said the charity now hopes to speak to the man who Christopher came to the aid of.

“We’d love to know what happened to the patient. We do know he survived the initial trauma of the heart attack because his grateful daughter paid for an anonymous thank you in the Daily Echo with the message – ‘CPR does work’.”

Are you or do you know the man who Christopher helped save? If so, call Corey Stephenson on 023 8042 4503 or email corey.stephenson@dailyecho.co.uk .