AN OFF-DUTY NHS worker from Redditch’s Alexandra Hospital has been honoured by the Royal Humane Society with an award for exceptional bravery after her selfless quick action helped save a life and prevent further injury at the scene of a serious motorway crash.
Senior radiography assistant, Amanda Field, was on her way to visit family in Manchester when a serious collision unfolded in front of her on the M6 motorway.
Witnessing a motorbike lose control and hit the motorway’s central reservation, throwing the rider and passenger from the bike, Amanda sprung into action.
Recognising the immediate danger, Amanda safely pulled onto the hard shoulder, exited her vehicle and began signalling for traffic to stop.
With no emergency services yet on scene, she courageously went onto the motorway to provide urgent first aid.
Drawing on her 15 years of NHS experience and clinical training, Amanda calmly took charge of the situation by giving clear instructions to bystanders of how to help, while she assessed and treated the injured passenger, before moving on to perform CPR on the injured rider.
To acknowledge Amanda’s incredible courage and quick thinking, Staffordshire Police – where the motorway incident took place – invited her to their headquarters recently to receive a Royal Humane Society Award which acknowledged her bravery ‘regardless of the significant dangers of the live fast lane’.
Amanda said: “I was more nervous about accepting the award than doing what would come natural to me to help others.
“This incident will stay with me forever as we take for granted at work, should an emergency arise, that back up help is always on hand.
“I feel quite proud of how I handled it at the time and I wouldn’t hesitate should anything like this was to happen again.”
Lead superintendent radiographer at Alexandra Hospital, Marisa Roberson, said: “This was an extraordinary act of bravery and compassion.
“Amanda represented the very best of the NHS – using her knowledge and training, remaining calm under immense pressure, and putting others first.
“We are incredibly proud of having Amanda as part of our caring team.”
