QUICK-thinking supermarket staff have been given awards for helping to revive a shopper who had a heart attack in their store.>

Shopper thanks first aid heroes

Picture shows Mrs Groves with Kelvin Shell (left) and Matthew Lambert

QUICK-thinking supermarket staff have been given awards for helping to revive a shopper who had a heart attack in their store.

Doreen Groves, 52, of Challener Road, Booker, collapsed in the Asda store, in Holmers Farm Way, Cressex.

Trained first-aiders Matthew Lambert and Kelvin Shell received Asda's Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award for rushing to Mrs Groves' assistance.

Laundry worker Mrs Groves suffered the attack while shopping with her husband Roger, 55, a bus driver.

Mr Groves said: "We were just doing our shopping as usual and as Doreen went to pick something up she clutched her heart and just collapsed. I stopped her head from hitting the ground and shouted for someone to get an ambulance."

Matthew Lambert, catering supervisor at the store, said: "Kelvin made the first aid call and by the time I got there two off-duty nurses were giving Mrs Groves treatment. We assisted with everything they needed and helped to clear a path for the paramedics, so they could get her to hospital as quickly as possible."

The nurses gave Mrs Groves life-saving cardiac massage and kiss-of-life treatment to restart her heart.

Mrs Groves knew nothing about the incident, which happened on January 3, until she came round after more than five weeks in intensive care at Wycombe Hospital.

After being told what happened, Mrs Groves said: "I'm really pleased suitably trained people were around at the time, otherwise I wouldn't be here."

Mr Lambert, of Icknield Way, Chinnor, said: "Kelvin and I attended a first aid course about a year ago, so we didn't panic when the emergency happened."

Mr Groves said: "It gives you peace of mind to do your shopping in the store, knowing there is help at hand if you need it."

A spokesman for Asda said: "The ABCD award is to recognise Asda employees who have done something very special, especially if this is to do with helping customers in some way."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.