Somerset co-responders save a baby’s life

Baby Daniel's parents express their thanks to fire fighters in the co-responder team Photo: Somerset FRS

A fortnight after spending 11 weeks in the Musgrove Park Hospital special care baby unit, little Daniel, who was born three months premature, developed a cough. His mother, Clarissa, found him motionless one morning in December. 

His mother said: “I phoned 999 and asked for an ambulance and soon afterwards I heard a vehicle screeching round the corner near our house. It was a fire brigade Land Rover so I didn’t think it was anything to do with us. 

Firefighters arriving on the scene found Daniel grey and lifeless and could not find a pulse. They immediately began resuscitation techniques and administered oxygen. 

“After about ten minutes the colour started to come back to the baby’s cheeks and he began to move of his own accord,” Simon said.  

“The ambulance arrived soon afterwards and rushed him to hospital. This was definitely one of the worst scenarios we have had to face since we have been on the run for co-responder calls.  The feeling you get when you know that you have helped save someone’s life really can’t be explained, especially when a baby is involved.”

Daniel spent eight days in the intensive care unit of a hospital in Cardiff before returning to Musgrove for further treatment for brochialitus and hypothermia. He came home just a week before Christmas, and now weighs 9lbs 2oz.  

Clarissa said: “When we got to the hospital the doctors said that if it had not been for the co-responder initiative Daniel probably wouldn’t be here now.”

The Williton co-responder team has received more than 50 calls since its launch last September, proving its undoubted need.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety in Somerset, Councillor Jim Mochnacz said: “The co-responder scheme in Somerset has been gradually expanded over the years with a quarter of our stations on the run.  It is particularly useful in the very rural parts of the county where attendance times for the ambulance service are long.  This incident clearly demonstrates the worth of the scheme and the benefits of partnership working.  I am personally delighted with the outcome of this incident and wish Daniel and his family the very best for the future.”