Off-duty police constable saves man’s life in Louth

PC Rich Precious was on his way back from the school run around 8.30am on Monday when he saw a man flat out on the pavement in Newmarket, Louth, with his wife standing over him, seeming distressed and upset.

PC Precious stopped to help, quickly realising that the man was unconscious, wasn’t breathing and had a very weak pulse.

He began CPR, including mouth to mouth resuscitation. He was joined by an off duty doctor and they continued CPR.

After some attempts, the man showed some signs of recovery - and although he remained unconscious he did make some efforts to breathe for himself before deteriorating again. The same resuscitation cycle continued with similar spasmodic responses from the man until an ambulance arrived.

Mr Jess Hill, who is in his 70s and from Louth, was taken to Grimsby hospital. He had suffered three cardiac arrests, but despite this is now off all life support and is expected to make a good recovery.

PC Precious received a message from Mr Hill’s wife later the same day, saying: “Thank you so much for your help this morning. You saved his life and I for one will be eternally grateful, there are no words.

“The hospital have called and they have removed his life support, he knows who I am even over the phone. We owe you, thank you again so much.”

Mr Hill’s son, Tom, said: “I am so very grateful to PC Precious and all of the people who helped to save his life, and those who continue to provide care in hospital.

“Our family life would be very different without Dad and the selfless actions of everyone on Monday means he is still with us. I can’t say thank you enough.”

Chief Superintendent Chris Davison said: “To save someone’s life is such a privilege and I’m so very proud of PC Precious who acted swiftly to help a member of his community while off duty.

“The first duty of a police officer is to save life. It’s heart-warming when we can perform that duty and save the life of a precious and much loved family man.”

PC Rich Precious said: “I just did what anyone else would have done I suppose. We were in the right place at the right time, but because of the training I’ve received and having been in the job now for over 20 years, instinct took over and we were able to do as much as we could to help him until further help arrived.

“I’m extremely grateful to the doctor who stopped to help and I guess together we have maybe saved Mr Hill’s life.

“To think I’ve made a difference is very humbling and to receive thanks from the family and my senior management team is a huge honour.

“The nicest thought though, having spoken to his family, is that Mr Hill has the chance of being able to celebrate Christmas at home.

“That’s not something I would have thought possible when I first met him on Monday morning! ”