A FIRST aider has been hailed a hero after coming to the aid of a colleague who had collapsed at work.

Juliet Goodsell has reached the final of the second annual St John Ambulance First Aid Awards for her efforts in helping Luke Bartley.

The 48-year-old has been shortlisted in the Workplace Hero category, which acknowledges an individual who has been the difference between life and death in their workplace.

Juliet, of Freshbrook, who works for printer and copier specialists UTAX on the Shrivenham Hundred Business Park in Watchfield, was nominated for her role in helping Luke who was found collapsed at the bottom of the stairs in the summer. The cause was unknown.

Juliet, who only went through her first aid training last year, kept Luke calm and cared for him by following first aid procedures.

Juliet alerted the emergency services but the ambulance was unable to find the premises and it was 20 minutes before paramedics arrived.

Juliet initially put Luke in the recovery position.

He was drifting in and out of consciousness and she kept his airway clear to prevent the risk of choking, continually assessed him and monitored his airway, breathing and vital signs.

This was Juliet’s first incident as a first aider in the workplace and she tried keeping him conscious by singing songs.

She said: “I am very surprised to have been shortlisted for this award but proud as well.

“It was a major incident to deal with for my experience as a first aider but I am glad that I was able to put my training into practice and look after Luke.

“I heard a call that someone had been found at the bottom of the stairs and the adrenaline just kicked in I suppose.

“I think the training just took over and I just went into auto pilot.

“I was on a three-day training course and the training was great and you don’t think when you do it that it might be needed one day.

“I think Luke was very grateful.”

The winner will be announced at an event in London on Monday, November 19, hosted by survival expert Ray Mears, who has himself used first aid many times.

Awards at the celebratory black-tie awards dinner will be presented by celebrities including Dragons’ Den star and businessman Duncan Bannatyne, singer Michelle Heaton, who needed first aid when she collapsed at a marathon, and TV presenter Matthew Wright, whose life was saved when he choked.