Off-duty cop praised for saving man who collapsed in Sheffield street
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The drama unfolded in Greengate Lane, High Green, last Friday at 8.10am when Matthew Elliott was driving to his day job working in the finance department of a construction company when he noticed several people gathered around an elderly man laid on the floor.
But his sense of responsibility as a special police constable kicked in – and he turned his car around to return to the scene and offer to help the stricken man.
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Hide AdThe 21-year-old Crosspool man performed CPR and also used a nearby defibrillator to try and kick-start the man's heartbeat.
An ambulance arrived a short while later and took the man – believed to be aged in his 70s – to hospital.
Matthew said: “It is a cliché to say it but the training just kicked in.
“At the time you don't think about it you just act because the adrenaline is going.
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Hide Ad“But I'm pleased I was able to put into practice what I had learned.”
He told how a man and woman who were already at the scene raised the alarm and rang for paramedics while Matthew tried to revive the man.
Then a couple of men driving past shouted that there is a defibrillator machine close-by and so that was brought to the scene and used before an ambulance arrived.
Police have confirmed the man “survived and is making good progress.”
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Hide AdShortly after the incident Chief Officer Stephen Merrett, head of South Yorkshire Police's Special Constabulary, praised Matthew on Twitter.
He tweeted: “I drove past a scene where paramedics were working on an elderly male.
“I have since found out that the first person on the scene performing CPR was an off-duty SYP Special Constable.
“Paramedics said his intervention has without doubt saved the man's life.”
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Hide AdMatthew said he is not sure why the man had collapsed but added that he hopes he makes a full recovery, and would also like to meet him.
He only became a special constable in December last year and praised police for giving him the skills needed to handle such a situation.
Said Matthew: “I have always fancied joining the police force and thought why not give the specials a go.
“You only have to do 16 hours a month volunteering as a minimum and you get to do all kinds of stuff.
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Hide Ad“I strongly recommend it, it really gives you a confidence boost. And the training really paid off in this situation in particular.”
For more information about becoming a special constable visit https://www.southyorks.police.uk/sign-up/to-volunteer-with-syp/to-be-a-special-constable/about-special-constables/
*Do you know the man who collapsed? Contact reporter Lee Peace on 01142521354.
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