Rhys to rescue of choking mum

LIFE-SAVING teenager Rhys Wareing (15) was given a heartfelt thank-you by the Shaw mother whose life he saved thanks to his quick thinking.

A LIFESAVING teen who sprang into action to save a mother from Shaw has been reunited with her.

Rhys Wareing (15), of Hawksmoor Drive, Shaw, was walking to Royton and Crompton school last December when he spotted a woman in distress.

Nicola Crawley (34) was heading to work along Shaw Road when a piece of toast lodged in her throat.

Despite her increasing panic and frantic flailings, Mrs Crawley was ignored by passers-by and her attempts to flag down a passing ambulance failed.

However, quick-thinking Rhys spotted the mum-of-one and jumped into action, calming her down before administering three back slaps between her shoulders with the heel of his hand.

Luckily, the piece of toast dislodged and Mrs Crawley was able to breathe properly again.

It was only when Mrs Crawley composed herself that she decided to track the teenager down and thank him for his actions.

The call centre manager from Kendal Drive, said: “I was terrified while choking and really panicking. I was trying to call for help but couldn’t.

“I don’t remember much about the first aid but I do remember Rhys was very reassuring and made me feel safe which helped me to calm down.

“After it was over, I realised I did not have any way of contacting him but I did recognise his uniform.”

Rhys, a Year 11 prefect at Royton and Crompton School, usually accepted a lift to school but decided to walk that morning.

He said: “At first, I thought she was waving at the ambulance, but when she saw me she put her hands against her throat and was struggling to speak.

“Instinct took over and I talked her through the first aid before heading to school because I was late.

“I didn’t think much of it at the time, it was no big deal.”

Determined to thank her good Samaritan, Mrs Crawley asked a friend working at the school to find Rhys.

And three months after the incident, the pair were reunited.

As a thank-you, Mrs Crawley’s husband Steve (38), a driving instructor, has given Rhys all the driving lessons he needs to pass his test.

He said: “He is an amazing guy, I’d hate to think of what could have happened if he hadn’t walked past.

“A lot of teenagers get a bad reputation but he did an amazing job.”

Rhys, who wants to be a fireman, is a community first aider for St John Ambulance and said scenario training ensured that he knew what to do.

He said: “I still don’t think it was a big deal. It was a natural thing to help her, I couldn’t just leave her.”

Head teacher Desmond Herlihy awarded Rhys the highest Headteacher’s Award and said: “Rhys’s prompt action in helping this lady is highly commendable.

“He is a credit to the school and to his family.”