Off-duty RNLI crew member saves choking baby

Gareth Horner, lifeboat operations manager, surprised Emma Auchnie with the personal commendation

An RNLI crew member from Cornwall has been praised for helping to save a baby from choking in Paris.

Newquay RNLI shore crew member Emma Auchnie was off-duty on a recent trip passing through Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport. The RNLI said a woman started screaming for assistance as her baby had stopped breathing and was turning blue.

Ms Auchnie, from Newquay, carefully tapped its back until it vomited and began to breathe again. She then held the infant for a short while to monitor their condition, before returning the baby to the woman.

Recently, Gareth Horner, lifeboat operations manager, surprised Ms Auchnie with the personal commendation issued by the RNLI's medical director.

The RNLI said the woman who did not speak English, was extremely grateful for the "quick reaction and care".

The RNLI added: "Your actions resulted in a life saved."

Mr Horner said: 'The RNLI provides exceptional training, so it becomes second nature for our volunteers to react correctly in any given circumstance.

"The station is proud of all its volunteer crew but it's very special when a commendation is awarded – well done Emma."