Thanks for saving my life

CALM before the storm . . . Neil with Karen hours before the terrifying incident

Appeal for hero Oldhamers who prevented holiday tragedy
A MAN who believes his life was saved by a bunch of quick-thinking Oldhamers is desperate to track them down to thank them.

Neil Riley was on holiday in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria with his partner Karen Anderson when tragedy was averted.

The pair were in a restaurant after a day spent soaking up the sun, when Neil’s Mancunian accent caught the attention of a group of fellow holidaymakers sitting nearby.

Neil (31) said: “I live in Milton Keynes but I’m originally from Manchester — these people asked where I was from.

“There was an older couple and three younger people, who said they were from Oldham.

“I was having a steak and a piece of meat got lodged in my throat. I tried patting my chest and having some water but it wasn’t budging. Then I started making these horrible noises. Karen was thumping my back and doing the Heimlich manoeuvre but it was really stuck.

Then this group we’d been chatting to started to help. I remember getting one big thump on the back and that was what shifted the steak.

“After everything had calmed down, I looked for the people but they’d gone.

“It was absolutely terrifying. I couldn’t breathe and I was really struggling. The experience has really shaken me.

“I honestly think if it hadn’t been for the people from Oldham, I wouldn’t be here today. I want to find out who they were and thank them. They saved my life.”

If you helped Neil or know who did, email us: news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk.