An 18-year-old woman from Croydon who gave vital first aid to a man injured by a tram was among those celebrated at St John Ambulance’s Everyday Heroes awards in London last night (Monday September 24).

Lauren Palmer was highly commended in the Community Hero category following the incident in Waddon Marsh in October 2017, in which a man sustained a serious head injury.

The charity’s annual event recognises the outstanding bravery and first aid skills of individuals and teams who attend to incidents, support communities, and have a positive impact on health.

The ceremony was hosted by celebrity vicar and one-half of 80s pop band The Communards, The Reverend Richard Coles, and the awards were presented by celebrity guests, including TV medic and Strictly Come Dancing hopeful, Dr Ranj Singh.

Ms Palmer said: “I feel really proud of myself.

“When I saw the man needed help, I didn’t hesitate thanks to the St John Ambulance first aid training I’d received through the army cadets.

“I’m just pleased I was able to do something for him, and really didn’t expect to be nominated for an award.”

Ms Palmer, who works with adults with learning difficulties, was travelling to work on a tram at Waddon Marsh, near Croydon, when she saw a man collide with another tram.

She saw how the people around the man, who was motionless and whose head was bleeding badly, did not know what to do.

Having learned first aid as an army cadet, she got off her tram to help.

As the man was unresponsive, Lauren maintained his airway and called the ambulance service to update them, while doing her best to stem the blood flow from his deep head wound.

She was then joined by an off-duty policeman who helped her dress the wound using a tram first aid kit.

When the air ambulance arrived, Lauren, reported on his condition, before making her way to work.

Now in its seventh year, the event at the Hilton London Bankside was sponsored by Laerdal Medical.

St John Ambulance’s Chief Executive, Martin-Houghton Brown congratulated the award winners.

“The achievements of our award nominees like Lauren are extraordinary and I have been overwhelmed by the stories of their everyday heroism in protecting life and health,” he said.

To find out more about St John Ambulance visit: www.sja.org.uk