Praise for volunteer officer who saved boy's life

Special Insp Rock was praised for her actions at a ceremony in March

A volunteer police officer who saved a three-year-old boy's life has been awarded a bravery certificate.

Special Inspector Louise Rock's quick-thinking saved the toddler, who was seriously injured following a collision in Haigh Lane, Barnsley, in June last year.

The volunteer, who was off-duty at the time, was praised during a ceremony last month and given a resuscitation certificate from the Royal Humane Society.

Special Constabulary Chief Officer Craig Batham MBE said she had demonstrated "tremendous professionalism and quick-thinking".

Special Insp Rock had been on her way to work when she came across the scene of the collision in which a car had hit a wall.

She noticed a man holding an unconscious boy, who was not breathing and had blood coming from his mouth.

The officer gave the child first aid and placed him in the recovery position until paramedics arrived.

Special Constabulary Chief Officer Batham said her actions had shown that officers were "never truly off-duty" and that she was "truly worthy" of the recognition by the Royal Humane Society.

"During the incident, Special Insp Rock had to take into account the distress the child's family were in, the structural safety of the wall which had been hit, members of the public who had gathered due to the collision, and the privacy of the child and his family," he said.

"We are extremely proud of her professionalism and dedication to help the local community, whether on or off-duty, and we are extremely pleased that her efforts contributed in saving a life."

The Royal Humane Society awards medals, testimonials and certificates for acts of bravery in the saving of human life and for effecting successful resuscitations.

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