A STUDENT nurse and a Brierley Hill butcher have been recognised at the West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Excellence in the Community Awards after saving a woman’s life.

Olivia Jane Hanson, who studies adult nursing at the University of Wolverhampton, and butcher Gordon Tranter helped to save the life of a woman who suffered a cardiac arrest while shopping in Brierley Hill last year.

The 27-year-old rushed to the rescue after spotting a crowd around a woman lying on the floor in the high street. 

After calling for an ambulance, Olivia dropped her bags and began performing CPR alongside quick-thinking butcher Gordon Tranter - assistant manager at Alan Warwick Butchers.

Thanks to their lifesaving efforts - the woman went on to recover after the incident.

After hearing about the heroics, Brierley Hill councillor Adam Davies nominated the courageous pair for the West Midlands Ambulance Service’s Excellence in the Community Awards for which both were commended for their bravery at an awards event on Thursday November 17.

Olivia said: “When I realised what was happening, my adrenaline had just taken over. All I could think was ‘I really need to save this lady’, she could be someone’s mother, sister, wife, or grandmother – I wasn’t stopping until I could do everything in my power to save her.

“The sense of relief when I felt a pulse coming back, was a feeling like no other.

“I’m so honoured to have been recognised, I feel like I did what anyone would do in an emergency situation, but I’m so proud to have saved a life and have never been more certain about my career as a nurse.”

Gordon, aged 58, told of his pride after collecting the award at a ceremony at The Copthorne Hotel, in Brierley Hill, and he said: "It was a brilliant night."

Cllr Davies said: "Between them, Olivia and Gordon did a very special thing, they saved a life. I really hope the story of the role they both played will help to inspire other student nurses, town centre butchers and others to do exactly what Olivia and Gordon did when that awful moment came - to step up and try." 

The councillor himself was also presented with a Community Initiative and Partnership Award for working with businesses and others to fundraise and get defibrillators installed in Brierley Hill - as well as raising awareness of the difference 'having a go' like Gordon and Olivia did can make.

A free defibrillator and CPR training session will take place at Brierley Hill Civic Hall on Tuesday December 13 from 6.30pm to 8pm. People wishing to take part can turn up on the night.