RAF team help injured boy
Royal Air Force Lyneham
www.raf.mod.uk/raflyneham
6th December 2006
Lyneham Sergeant Dave Mason has been praised for saving the life of a teenage boy knocked down by a car. Just days after completing a life saving training course the quick thinking dad's skills were put into practice when the boy got off a bus and was struck down by a passing vehicle. The 14-year-old was hit at the notorious accident spot at the Melsome Road junction just outside the RAF base on December 6th.

Sergeant Mason, 39, of the 47 Air Despatch Squadron, who is originally from Hartlepool, but has lived and worked in Lyneham since 1989, was rushed to the scene.

He said: "We had just done a week's First Responder training course, literally five days before the accident happened. When I found it was a young boy that had been hit I didn't exactly panic but I was slightly worried about what I was going to see, especially as I am a dad myself. I knew he had a head injury and he was drifting in and out of consciousness, but I just went into auto pilot when I got there. Everything I had been taught was fresh in my mind I suppose so I was able to put it into practice quickly and easily."

The boy was thrown about 45 feet when he was hit and he landed on a grass verge.

Police at the time said it was touch and go as to whether he would survive, but thanks to the first aid he received he was later reported to be in a stable condition. The sergeant along with his colleagues, Cpl Paul Baker and Private Chris Nilsson ensured that the boy received the right first aid treatment as they waited for the ambulance.

Sergeant Mason, who has three children aged, 20, 17 and 15 said that one of the main reasons he took the course was because he was a dad. He said: "It's nice to know that I can be there for my own children and I can take care of them if something was to happen.

"If they were ever harmed then I would be able to put what I have learnt into action.

"The First Responder training course is definitely the best thing I have ever done."

On the evening of the accident, Lance Corporal Stewart Conor was on duty and was alerted to the accident. Other servicemen helped secure the accident scene. Lance Corporal Stewart Conor was the duty JNCO at 47 AD based at B site at the time. He was alerted to the incident by the gate guards and took it upon himself to secure the scene with the help of Corporal ‘Taff’ Williams, Private Charles Abam and Private Alieu Dibba, all personnel from 47 Air Despatch. They stopped all traffic and called for an ambulance.

Sergeant Mason happened to be taking part in a training night at the RAF base. The RAF first responder course is in its seventh year and there are currently 24 first responders at the air base. He said: "The boy's family have said thank you to all of us and we are just glad that he is okay."

The police reported the young boy was extremely lucky and is in a stable condition.

The community policeman, PC Jarra' Brown visited the Squadron on Friday and thanked them for their prompt action, in particular to Lance Corporal Conor, Corporal Williams and Sergeant Mason. He said that presence of mind and control of the situation ensured that the golden hour' after the incident was managed in the best way possible. Major Lucy Giles, OC 47 Air Despatch Squadron said: "The soldiers of 47 Air Despatch Squadron showed great presence of mind during this incident, something I am very proud of."