| Wg Cdr Staniforth, who is currently
OC Tactical Medical Wing based at RAF Lyneham is a Medical
Support Officer, said his years of training and experience
of exercises just kicked-in. As he entered the devastated
train he found himself in the carriage only feet from the
crater caused by the explosion. It was almost completely dark,
full of smoke and the air thick with dust. He saw many casualties,
one who had fallen into the crater; he was especially conscious
that he only had his briefcase with him (he did not want to
leave it on his train for fear that it could be reported as
an improvised explosive device!).
He immediately began assessing the situation and reassuring
the many casualties, and in particular Professor John Tulloch,
and Australian who works in London . Mr Tulloch had been sat
only a few feet from where the bomb went off and had suffered
severe head injuries and was extremely disorientated.
Having checked his vital signs and ensured Mr Tulloch was
safe, he then checked other casualties in his immediate vicinity
attempting to prioritise them and trying to get other helpers
to each of the victims. He suggested to another passenger,
who he believes to have been a nurse, that she start to prepare
a list of the casualties and their injuries for the emergency
services when they arrived. Wg Cdr Staniforth then focussed
his attention on Mr Tulloch and ensured he remained conscious
and consoled for just under an hour until they were both evacuated.
He stayed with Mr Tulloch in the emergency facility that
had been set up in the nearby Marks and Spencer store until
Mr Tulloch was moved to St Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
Yesterday, Wg Cdr Staniforth was reunited with Mr Tulloch
who has made remarkable progress in his 6 day stay in St Mary's.
They spent about half an hour getting to know each other a
little better and recalling various aspects of the terrible
incident. Mr Tulloch praised Wg Cdr Staniforth for his outstanding
courage, professionalism and commented that his actions were
exemplary and certainly had a dramatic and positive effect
on him personally.
Lyneham Village Online's webmaster Andy Humm, a
former RAF Flight Sergeant, Falkland Island and Gulf war veteran,
recalls that during his many years active service, these essential
lifesaving practices are frequently taught and exercised.
"We never knew when we would put these skills and techniques
into use. In the twenty eight years of service, we used to
exercise our training procedures to ensure we could cope with
any scenario that arose." The knowledge that Craig Staniforth
has gained has been put to great use. Well done Craig. |
