Off duty hospital worker hailed a hero for helping woman in distress

Michael Smytheman, 39, an emergency department assistant at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, recognised the woman as a patient with epilepsy and immediately stepped in to help.

Michael, from Grange Park, said: “I was driving home along Newton Road when I saw a woman in the middle of the road.

“It was lashing down with rain and she had no coat on and was wearing slippers.

“I recognised her as being a patient and I remembered she was epileptic so I needed to help.

“I turned the car round and parked up and dialled 999 to explain the situation and ask which service would be best in the circumstances. I spoke to the patient who was in obvious distress.

“Luckily, a nurse from the hospital was walking home from work.

“She continued the phone conversation while I tried to calm the patient down.”

Police arrived quickly and Michael accompanied them and the patient to the emergency department.

Blackpool Victoria Hospital oncology nurse, Becky Ingham, happened to be walking home and saw Michael helping the patient.

The 28-year-old, from Poulton, said: “I saw Michael in the middle of the road helping a distressed and vulnerable lady.

“I went over to see if I could help in any way and carried on the phone conversation with the emergency services while Michael tried to calm the lady down.

“Michael was absolutely brilliant in how he dealt with her and how he handled a very difficult situation.

“He had a wonderful nature and was so reassuring, managed to keep her safe and essentially saved her life.

“He was a hero.”

Dr Anthony Kearns, head of emergency medicine, said: “What Michael did is indicative of the care and dedication of our emergency department team.

“We are very proud of Michael and how he acted that evening. He averted what could have been a potential fatal incident.”

Michael added: “Despite being on annual leave at the time, I knew I couldn’t just leave her.

“She has complex needs and I wanted to make sure she got help quickly.

“It was dark and I don’t know if anyone else would have known what to do.

“I booked her in at the emergency department and made sure she was safely in the hands of the team before I left.”

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