A MAN from Winnersh who saved a little girl’s life when she hit her head in a freak accident earlier this year has been commended for his actions.
Jack Salzman, 28, who lived in Reading Road at the time of the incident on March 12, was on his way to work when he discovered the little girl in Robin Hood Lane.
Mr Salzman said: “I wasn’t long into my journey, probably about two minutes, and although I didn’t see the accident happen, I was the first car to come along afterwards.
“I saw a couple of people stood by the side of the road and I pulled over to see if I could help.
“I checked her pulse and her breathing and there just wasn’t anything so I started CPR.”
Incredibly, Mr Salzman had completed a refresher course in first aid at his workplace, Norden Farm Theatre in Maidenhead, just weeks before the accident.
Mr Salzman, a theatre technician, said: “I gave her two rounds of CPR and then she started breathing again. The paramedics soon turned up and I just stood aside and waited to give my statement to the police.
“It was all such a blur that I didn’t even think to tell them what I had done, I was just more concerned in letting them know that it was a freak accident and the driver wasn’t to blame.”
The little girl was airlifted to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where a CT scan revealed she had suffered a fractured skull as well as shoulder and knee injuries.
The police called Mr Salzman a few days later to give him an update on the little girl’s condition, and told him that he may be put forward for an award.
He said: “Another witness had told the police that I administered first aid, and they told me they were going to put for me forward for a commendation, but I didn’t think anything of it until the letter arrived in September.
“It was weird because I didn’t really feel like I had earned it, I just happened to be in the right place at the right time and did what I would hope any other person would do.”
Mr Salzman received his award alongside police officers, PCSOs and other members of the public being honoured by Thames Valley Police chief constable Francis Habgood during a ceremony at the police training centre in Sulhamstead, near Reading, last Thursday.
Chief Constable Habgood said: “To hear the stories behind these commendations makes me feel very proud and privileged.
“Not only do they recognise the courage, professionalism and skills of our police officers and staff involved, but also members of the public who have displayed exceptional courage when faced with some very difficult situations.
“They all deserve to feel very proud for making a difference by going above and beyond their call of duty, or reflecting the best of human nature.”
