Lifeboatman Danny Hilding honoured with award alongside father-in-law

DAMIAN LE BAS

Editor

Courage in the nick of time: Danny Hilding, pictured above with girlfriend Danielle and daughters Lisa-Marie and Melody, was with his father-in-law when their quick reaction to a motorbike accident helped save a woman's life

LIFEBOATMAN Danny Hilding has been given an award by the Royal Humane Society for his quick reaction to a motorbike accident which helped save a woman's life.

Last September, Mr Hilding was driving to a fishing trip with father-in-law and fellow RNLI lifeboatman Rodney Bradnam when they witnessed a car collide with a motorbike.

The collision occurred on the Dymchurch Road near the Kent coast.

Bike "landed on top of rider"

Mr Hilding and Mr Bradnam- whose actions have also been honoured by the Royal Humane Society- were driving behind the motorbike when the car pulled out of the junction and crashed into it, throwing its male rider and his female passenger off.

"The bike landed on top of the rider and Danny and I lifted it off," said Mr Bradnam.

"He was conscious and Danny stayed talking to him and encouraging him. I went to the woman and found her unconscious. I turned her over and started CPR," he said.

Mr Bradnam had finished his RNLI fist aid training just weeks before.

An air ambulance later took the woman to hospital, where she began her recovery from head injuries sustained in the crash.

Proud moment: Danny Hilding receives his award from the Royal Humane Society

Dick Wilkinson, secretary of the RHS, said that without the pair's "swift action", the woman might easily have died. "They thoroughly deserve their awards," he added.

"I would like to say that I'm a Gypsy and proud, and nothing can take that away," said Danny.

"But look at the great things we can do if we let ourselves go and believe. I love what I do, and I'm still a Traveller", he added.

Proof you can do it: Danny and colleagues with their first aid certificates from St John's Ambulance

Proud of his roots: lifeboatman Danny with Danielle and their daughters Lisa-Marie and Melody