Fire-fighters battle to save woman after she collapses at exercise class

A WOMAN’S life was saved by local fire-fighters after she collapsed at her exercise class in Galashiels yesterday evening (May 23).

The forty-two year old woman appeared ill at around 6.30pm during her class at the town’s Volunteer Hall in St. John’s Street.

When the fire-fighters arrived after being flagged down by a worried classmate, she appeared to be no longer breathing and have no pulse.

An accident and emergency nurse who was also in the class at the time attended to the woman and administered CPR before the fire fighters arrived with a defibrillator that they kept on board their fire engine.

A spokeswoman for Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service said:

“This was an unusual incident as fire-fighters were passing the scene when they were flagged down. Fire-fighters immediately went to assist the woman, as it was apparent she was in a critical condition requiring immediate intervention. They used a defibrillator on the woman, as well as giving her oxygen while they waited for ambulance crews.

“It’s incredibly fortunate that fire-fighters were passing at just the right moment and there is no doubt that their swift actions had a positive result for the woman who had taken ill so suddenly. We hope she makes a full recovery and wish her all the best.”

The casualty was taken to Borders General Hospital at around 6.50pm.

 

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