A YOUNG woman who fought a life-and-death battle on the pavement to bring a man who collapsed in Swindon back from the brink of death has been awarded one of the country’s top national life-saving honours.

While other members of the public stood by watching and did nothing to help, 22-year-old Beth Branston gave the man the kiss of life even though she had realised he was a drug user and this could endanger her and administered cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The incident happened at Swindon bus station in Carfax Close just after 6pm on September 15 last year.

Thanks to Beth’s efforts the man stabilised and was taken to hospital where he went on to make a full recovery. Now Beth has been awarded a Royal Humane Society resuscitation certificate.

And in addition to the award she also won the personal praise of Dick Wilkinson, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society.

Speaking at the Society’s headquarters as he announced the award he said: “Put simply she was the right person in the right place at the right time. There were other people there including friends of the man but they stood and watched but did not help. Beth richly deserves the award.”

Beth of Cherry Orchard, Marlborough, said: “I remember walking around the corner and seeing a big group of people crowded round something at the station. I walked across and saw there was a guy lying there on the floor. I knew what I had to do and I knew I couldn’t just walk passed and do nothing.

“I asked anyone if they had called the emergency services and they said no so I told someone to call 999. I got down next to him and the person on the phone from the emergency services answered so I started doing CPR. His response wasn’t one I recognised, when I was breathing in it sounded like blowing air across an empty bottle.”

Having had previous care experience whilst working at Coombe End Court in Marlborough, Miss Branston had minimal training in CPR at the time but says she couldn’t walk passed without trying to help.

“People were just looking at him, no-one thought to call 999 or anything. I suppose the adrenaline just kicked in. If I had walked by I would never have been able to forgive myself and in turn I saved a life,” she added.

Beth’s actions also won her the praise of Wiltshire police who recommended her for the award. In their recommendation they said: “Beth was the only person at the scene who actively engaged in any form of care or CPR and there is no doubt that without her actions the male would have died.”

The Royal Humane Society was founded in 1774 by two of the day’s eminent medical men, William Hawes and Thomas Cogan. Their primary motive was to promote techniques of resuscitation.

Beth said: “After the incident I went on to do a full first aid training course.”