A PCSO has been praised by a paramedic for her life saving actions that helped a man struggling to breathe.

On February 9, PCSO Terrie Johnson and Sergeant Tom Bastendorff responded to a request for first aid from police staff at the front counter of Braintree Police Station. A man had become very short of breath whilst talking to staff.

Terrie and Tom rushed to the scene where the man had started to panic and was trying to loosen his clothing to help himself breathe.

Terrie rushed straight to the man and managed to calm him down enough so that he focussed on his breathing. She then ascertained that he was asthmatic and located his inhaler, but the man was still struggling to breathe and was unable to use the inhaler.

Whilst Terrie was trying to reassure the man and slow his breathing, Tom and the front office staff relayed what was happening to ambulance staff who relayed back to Terrie their advice on how to deal with the man whilst they waited for an ambulance.

A paramedic arrived quickly and the pair worked together to calm the man down and ascertain what had caused this incident. The man was conveyed to hospital for further treatment as she believed the cause to be an underlying infection. The paramedic praised Terrie for her quick thinking actions.

Terrie said: “I am glad the man has received the treatment he needs and hope he is recovering.”