A teenager who kept her cool and struggled to save the life of a stranger is to be honoured for her bravery.

Rebecca Wells, 15, and her father Barry, 47, stayed calm and took charge at the scene of an horrific road accident - while others stood and stared.

In recognition of their efforts Rebecca, of Reynolds Gate, South Woodham Ferrers is now to receive a Royal Humane Society certificate.

The pair fought to save the life of a 50-year-old cyclist knocked under the wheels of a minibus on Essex Regiment Way, Chelmsford.

Brave Rebecca gave the man heart massage for more than an hour while her father performed mouth to mouth resuscitation.

When the ambulance crew arrived they thought Rebecca was a nurse and asked her to continue with the heart massage while they treated the man's injuries.

A police officer on the scene said it made a real change to see the public coping so well with a situation.

Rebecca said: "There were six or seven people standing around doing nothing.

"One person even refused to hold a tourniquet on the man's leg because they said there was too much blood."

Rebecca's steady nerves come from three years with the South Woodham Ferrers Air Training Corps and Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

However, she remains modest about her talents.

She said: "You don't know if you will be able to cope in that sort of situation until you have to."

The citation from the Royal Humane Society said Rebecca had managed to revive the man several times. Sadly he later died of his injuries.

Barry said: "We came home and thought 'Did we do enough? Should we have tried something else?', but you do your best and that is all you can do."

Christopher Tyler, of the Royal Humane Society, said: "Rebecca kept a cool head and did a wonderful job in trying to save the life of the victim."

Since the accident Barry has signed up for the new rapid response First aid team, First Responders, being set up in South Woodham Ferrers with the help of Essex Ambulance Service.

Its aim is to ensure there are more people like Rebecca and Barry around to give first aid in the vital minutes before an ambulance arrives.

My hero - Rebecca Wells shares her delight with dad Barry

Picture: TOM STEVENSON

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