Help from young

Press, 3 October 1983, Page 20

Help from young

Sir,—Recently my son, aged 14, went to assist a young man whose car had collided with a power pole in Halswell Road. He found the victim unconscious, head lacerated, and a lovely shade of purple. Opening the door and checking for response, he cleared the tongue blocking the throat and started C.P.R. breathing until the victim’s natural breathing returned. By this time someone emerged from a neighbouring house and returned to phone for assistance. My son then covered the man with a coat and stayed until the three tow trucks, M.O.T. and ambulance arrived (in that order). The only comment by the traffic officer was that he had probably saved the young man’s life. I state this to show we are only too quick to condemn the young for lack of social conscience, and yet when a public service is done not a word of thanks is forthcoming. Perhaps this breeds the apathy that allows a young girl to be assaulted in full public view, or a woman left to drown by unconcerned fishermen.—Yours, etc., x

J. A. ELMS. September 30, 1983.