BOROUGH Mayor Joe Baker raced to the rescue when a woman collapsed with a suspected epileptic fit on Saturday evening.
The incident happened at the end of a brilliantly successful gig and Christmas lights switch on by X-Factor stars Reggie ’N’ Bollie.
The Mayor had just left the stage with Redditch MP Karen Lumley and council leader Bill Hartnett where the trio had joined the top songsters to officially start the town’s Christmas festivities.
As Reggie ’N’ Bollie posed for selfies and shook hands with the adoring fans, the woman, who had been sat at the front in an area reserved for the less able, collapsed.
Councillor Baker, who is first aid trained, was first on the scene, helping to put her in the recovery position and make sure her airway was clear.
The air temperature was plummeting and the Mayor comforted her as volunteers from St John’s Ambulance arrived to wrap her in a thermal blanket while they waited for paramedics to arrive in a fast response vehicle.
It was a downbeat end to what had been a magnificent occasion as Reggie ’N’ Bollie rocked Redditch with a medley of hits including Shut Up And Dance With Me and their first single New Girl.
The crowd – ten deep – sang their hearts out, mobile phones poised to record every second and take photos.
The duo also had praise for the crowd and a message of hope telling them: “We owe you all a massive thank you for coming out to see the switch on of the Christmas lights.
“In fact thanks to you our lives have been changed forever – you know sometimes life isn’t always smooth but we want you to keep that hope alive because the future will be better than yesterday.”
Earlier Redditch’s very own Keri Whip had kept the crowd entertained – before going off to support Craig David and Little Mix that very night at the NEC.
Keri, who’s last hit got to No9 in the club charts said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant, the crowd have been fantastic and they’re really up for it.”
The event had been organised by the Kingfisher Shopping Centre, Redditch’s Town Centre Partnership and the borough council and their combined efforts really paid off with a fantastic show.
“It’s brilliant to see all these people come out for the big switch on,” said Katie Broome, Kingfisher’s marketing manager.
“The three organisations working together has really worked out well and hopefully we can build on this for the future.”
Emma Newfield from the TCP added: “The atmosphere has been fantastic – it’s great to see so many people here enjoying themselves and having a really good time. Merry Christmas!”
Mrs Lumley MP said: “It’s wonderful to see so many young families here having a great time and getting their Christmases off to s great start.”
Coun Baker, speaking before his first aid skills were needed said: “It’s a privilege to be here as Mayor and to see so many people out enjoying themselves and getting ready for the big switch on.”
