New skills put to test in series of emergencies

Wendy Scott, 49, needed to use her knowledge only five days after taking part in the course. Driving along the A66 near Penrith her six-year-old daughter, Ria, screamed for help after choking on a chocolate raisin.

She had to thump her on the back between eight and 10 times before the blockage cleared. Then days later Ria was thrown from her horse at Kirklington, North Yorkshire.

She was left temporarily unconscious and her mother’s recognition of the symptoms was credited with helping staff at the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, who later gave her the all clear.

The day after that she found herself dealing with a serious horse riding accident when 10-year-old Katie Benbow fractured her skull at Richmond Equestrian Centre.

Prior to being handed over to an air ambulance crew, she was tended to at the scene by Mrs Scott. Mrs Scott of Knayton, Thirsk, said she was just hoping that the run of incidents had come to an end. She said: “I am very pleased that I did the course but I just hope that this isn’t a jinx that’s going to stay with me. I had done a first aid course 10 years ago, and up until last week I had dealt with about three incidents, but none as serious as any of these.” Describing how her training had kicked in after the latest incident, she said: “As Katie lay there, a group of people ran over to her, but I could see she was unconscious. There were lots of parents around her and she was getting pulled about and moved, so I asked if they could step back. You have to detach yourself from the situation as much as possible.”

Great North Air Ambulance Service provided Mrs Scott’s first aid training at Hackwith Village Hall after Bedale Pony Club requested its services.