Paperboy saves stroke victim
A PAPERBOY has been hailed a hero after saving the life of a stroke victim – and then repeating the feat just days later.
Matt Pearce, 15, of Longlevens, was delivering papers last week when he realised a customer's door had been left wide open.
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After stepping inside to see if everything was all right, he found 84-year-old widow Joan Robson clinging to the door frame in her living room.
"I have been studying first aid in school and I recognised her symptoms – I thought it was a stroke straight away," said the Churchdown School pupil.
"Her speech started slurring so I sat her down then called her an ambulance. I told her that I wasn't going to leave her on her own and I stayed until the ambulance arrived a few minutes later. When the ambulance staff arrived, I helped them too."
Days later, Matt, who has been delivering our sister paper in Gloucestershire The Citizen for 18 months, repeated his heroics when walking along London Road with a friend.
He said: "We passed a man who was sat on the floor. His speech started to slur too and I thought he was having a stroke too so I called the ambulance again."
On Thursday, Matt, who hopes to study construction at Gloucestershire College when he leaves school, visited Mrs Robson in the care home where she is recovering. She thanked Matt for rescuing her.
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by Matt Pearce, Longlevens
Saturday, January 09 2010, 9:05PM
“thanks guys for all your comments about me saving the 2 elderly people. at the end of the day im not a hero i was just helping them
cheers once again
Matt Pearce”
by John and Ella, Coldstream, Berwickshire
Thursday, December 24 2009, 11:23AM
“Thank you Matt for looking out for Joan, a truely remarkable lady who is our aunt.”
by J B, Glossop, Derbyshire
Wednesday, December 23 2009, 7:40AM
“Well Done Matt. Thank you for being so observant and caring.Joan is my husband's godmother who we don't get to see very often because we live in Derbyshire. All too often we hear about teenagers abusing older people. You deserve a reward for rescuing two older people who needed help. Once again, well done and thanks very much. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and keep up the good work.”
by Andy, Cirencester
Monday, December 21 2009, 1:31PM
“Well done Matt - what a gift you have given to these fortunate people just before Christmas. And your first aid teacher must be so proud of you, as well as your family and friends.”
by Neil, Chelt
Sunday, December 20 2009, 7:19PM
“Good work fella!!”
by iona, Longlevens
Sunday, December 20 2009, 6:41PM
“Way to go Matt!”
by EJ, Cheltenham
Sunday, December 20 2009, 5:06PM
“Matt you are a true hero and a credit to your family. A fantastic story, one to bring a smile to everyone's face. We need more people like you in this world. Hoping that the two people you helped recover from their strokes quickly and wishing all a very merry Christmas.”
by Phil, Hester's Way
Sunday, December 20 2009, 4:26PM
“Well done, Matt ! Nice to hear young people being given a good press for a change, and nice to see that not all of our young are the drug dealing violent hoodies they are all meant to be. Keep up the good work, and have a nice Xmas !!!”
by sue, devon
Sunday, December 20 2009, 3:53PM
“Well done Matt! you are simply the best, what a credit you must be to your parents, it's so nice to read a story like this for a change.”
by Pat, on the edge
Sunday, December 20 2009, 3:46PM
“Nice to know that all teenagers aren't tarred to the same brush.
Well done, Matt.”