Aussie tourist helps save man after suspected drug overdose in England
An Australian tourist with training in first aid has helped save the life of a man who stopped breathing after a suspected drug overdose in England.
The woman, who name hasn't been released, was outside Nason's department store in Canterbury when an off-duty paramedics noticed the man's breathing had lapsed into a "death rattle".
The woman controlled the man's airway as paramedics were called in, with claims the assistance kept the man alive.
The off-duty paramedic Jonathan Haigh says the victim, aged in his 20s, is lucky to be alive.
"We assumed he was simply asleep on the bench next to us," he told the Gazette.
"But we noticed deep sighing, irregular breathing. He was apnoeic, which is to say he was unable to breathe."
Other members of the public rushed to the man's aid with manual chest compressions performed in the street.
"(The victim) was given naloxone hydrochloride, which can be used in overdose cases," Mr Haigh said.
"He was on his feet and able to climb into the ambulance. He's lucky to be alive."
News break – August 5
