Lifeguard comes to the rescue of injured horse rider
Joanne Lenton
LIFEGUARD Joanne Lenton put her first aid training to good use when she came across an injured horse rider lying in the middle of a country road.
Joanne, who has been a lifeguard at Hornby Pool for five years, was driving from Carnforth to Gressingham when she noticed a horse in the middle of the road with the rider lying on her back.
She quickly pulled over to the side of the road and leaped into action.
Joanne explained: “Once I saw the rider on the ground I immediately pulled over to help. A few other people had stopped and had rung for an ambulance but did not know any first aid. As I have been on numerous first aid courses as an employee at Hornby Pool I knew just what to do.
“The girl was very worried and shocked so I tried to keep her calm and kept reassuring her. I asked her to keep very still and explained what I was going to do which was to kneel behind her head and move her into neutral alignment to prevent any further damage.”
It was also important to keep the injured rider warm so Joanne covered her with blankets as they waited for the ambulance to arrive, which it did not long after.
After a short stay in hospital for treatment the rider was released and she is now back home safe and sound – apart for some bruises and a few aches and pains.
“I feel all my thanks should go to the city council for its thorough training. I have been on first aid courses, including staff training which all staff attend monthly, to keep our knowledge to a high standard,” Joanne added.
“I think it’s important for members of the public to at least know the basics of first aid and to also have confidence to stop and help others.”
Date Published: 19/03/10