Bridgwater pensioner's quick-thinking saves friend's life

10:06am Monday 17th March 2008

By Rory McKeown

A QUICK-THINKING Bridgwater pensioner dramatically saved the life of a friend after the woman slipped into a diabetes-induced coma.

Gwen Bailey, aged 75, of Sycamore Close, saved mother-of-two Zoë Aldridge after a routine visit to Palmerston Park, Tiverton, to make an Ann Summers delivery.

After her initial knocks on the door were unanswered, Gwen decided to turn back to the car, driven by her husband, and call it a day.

As they drove off, she spotted a neighbour washing his car and inquired whether he had seen Zoë that morning.

Gwen said: "With a stroke of luck he hadn't seen her but he said her boyfriend's car was still in the driveway.

"I went back to the house and went through the back door. It was eerily quiet and I thought twice about leaving the delivery and going back.

"I tiptoed into the front room to see Zoë lying on the sofa. I called her name but she was gone to the world. I tried to rouse her but to no avail."

Gwen remembered Zoë was a diabetic and immediately realised she was in a coma. She promptly dialled 999 and received expert advice from the operator to keep Zoë stable.

She titled her head back and cleared her airways, making sure there were no blockages that could potentially choke Zoë.

Gwen adds: "The emergency services were fantastic. Although it seemed to take an eternity, the ambulance crew realistically arrived in five minutes.

"They confirmed Zoë was suffering from hypoglycemic shock and her blood sugar levels were extremely low."

Zoë's boyfriend, who was asleep upstairs, aided paramedics in applying the intravenous drip into her body as she started to fit.

Modest Gwen states: "I don't view myself as a hero. I was just in the right place at the right time. Anyone would have done the same as me."

Recovering Zoë was thankful of Gwen's efforts. She added: "I am so grateful for Gwen. If she hadn't come into the house, I dread to think what would have happened."

Hypoglycemic Shock Factfile:Diabetic hypoglycemia describes a low blood glucose level occurring in sufferers of diabetes.

It is sometimes referred to as 'Insulin Shock' Severe hypoglycaemic unconsciousness is one form of diabetic coma Symptoms of hypoglycemic diabetes can be mild, moderate or severe, depending on how low the glucose falls.

It is rare but possible for diabetic hypoglycemia to result in brain damage or death