Cerrigydrudion first responder is honoured

Aug 11 2008 By David Simister

Tomos Hughes

A COMMITTED lifesaver from Cerrigydrudion who helped save over 350 people in emergencies across the Vale has been honoured with a top award this week.

Tomos Hughes, 32, was named as the outstanding volunteer in North Wales in the First Responders programme by Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust, who run the emergency response scheme.

"I am on call virtually 24/7 and cover quite a large area" he told Your Vale.

"Like most First Responders, the majority of calls are to people with breathing difficulties and heart problems, but we also get called to road collisions, farm accidents and to a growing number of mountain-biking accidents."

Among the many accidents Hughes has attended include a smash last year on the A5 at Padog,

near Pentrefoelas, which saw seven casualties.

Being first on the scene - a key part of the First Responders programme - Hughes assessed the scene and was able to inform ambulance control of what was needed. He also saved the life of one of the casualties, a young male, by sustaining him until further help arrived.

"He has not only attended a large number of incidents but has done an excellent job, and we have received many letters of thanks for the work Tomos has done" said Alun Roberts, First Responder Officer for North Wales, who nominated Hughes for the award.

Hughes, who works as an electrical contractor in Cerrigydrudion, is a former member of the Aberglaslyn Mountain Rescue Team, and also working with First Responder programmes in Ysbyty Ifan and the Lledr Valley.