Tilbury Douglas site manager saves schoolboy’s life

Grant Prior 8 months ago
Share

A quick-thinking Tilbury Douglas site manager saved the life of a collapsed schoolboy after scooping him up and running to the emergency department of a hospital he had helped build.

Brooklyn Alwill Foster with Adam Bednall
Brooklyn Alwill Foster with Adam Bednall

Ten-year-old Brooklyn Alwill Foster had gone into a diabetic emergency after becoming unwell a few days’ previously.

His family had no idea that he had developed diabetes and took him to Walsall Manor Hospital.

As they were walking into the hospital Brooklyn collapsed and site manager Adam Bednall sprung into action.

He picked-up the boy and sprinted to the resuscitation unit saving vital seconds because he knew the centre well having been part of the team that delivered it.

Bednall said: “I didn’t stop to think too much as I could see Brooklyn’s eyes were dilated and I was just talking to him as I ran because I knew it was serious.

“I knew where to go which was another bit of luck as no time was wasted going to reception and waiting. I don’t see myself as a hero – I’m just glad Brooklyn is on the mend and wish the family all the best.”

Brooklyn’s mum Sophie Foster, 31, said: “He just wasn’t himself and while we initially thought it was a tummy bug he suddenly took a turn for the worse and I knew in my gut something was just not right.

“My sister took us and we parked at the front of the hospital. He collapsed as we walked to the Emergency Department so I was trying to get a wheelchair when a construction worker came out of a nearby hut, picked him up and just ran all the way into resus.

“If Adam hadn’t been there, it could have been a very different ending because we now know that Brooklyn very nearly died that day.”

Brooklyn and his parents were able to say thank you in person when Adam popped to the Children’s Ward to check on his recovery.

Steve Cornforth, Lead Resuscitation Officer at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “I don’t usually believe in fate but the events of that day have changed my mind. Adam made the difference between life and death with around 30 seconds to spare.

“Yes, the medical team acted to help Brooklyn in an efficient and effective way but he was in ketoacidosis when he collapsed and Adam got him to where he absolutely needed to be as quickly as possible.”

Latest news

Alun Griffiths to “restructure and resize” after £95m loss

Redundancies due to be announced at Welsh civils contractor
17 hours ago

Fire safety project approval delays hit Van Elle profits

Piling specialist also reviews future of Canadian operation amid fresh economic uncertainty
28 minutes ago

JRL Malaysian backers plan £150m London city office refurb

Ardmore to deliver landmark 25 Finsbury Circus building overhaul
7 minutes ago

500-home block to replace 19 storey Sutton office tower

Landmark project to deliver 312 Build to rent and 195 co-living homes
1 hour ago

Building envelope specialist Bailey buys Comar

Specialist now offers complete building envelope solutions
52 minutes ago

Subcontractors wanted for work across Wales

Big name buyers at latest Constructionline event: Regsiter now
16 minutes ago

Balfour Beatty profit dented by £83m building safety hit

Increased order book at £18bn secures growth over next two years
1 day ago

Expanding utilities specialist Ipsum buys Matrix Power

Power engineering contractor takeover will strengthen offer in North East
24 hours ago

Historic scaffolding firm files administration notice

Hertfordshire based Rodells has been trading since 1898
1 day ago

Planning Bill to have “seismic” impact on construction

Building-boosting reforms go before Parliament
2 days ago

Briggs & Forrester hits record revenue and orders

M&E specialist rebounds with strong growth across three divisions
1 day ago

Man Utd confirm plan for £2bn ‘super-tent’ stadium

Club to press ahead with 100,000-seat 'Wembley of the North'
2 days ago

Government spending keeps profits edging-up at Kier

91% of work now with public sector and regulated companies
2 days ago

Costain on track for step change to 5% margin

Alex Vaughan says order book has jumped £1.5bn to £5.4bn
2 days ago

Mace tops February contracts league

Confirmation of £300m London Victoria Street project lifts firm to pole position
2 days ago

Wates raids Laing O’Rourke for new construction operations chief

George Mosey leaves Laing O'Rourke after 16 years
3 days ago

Travis Perkins CEO Pete Redfern steps down due to ill health

Redfern joined builders' merchant last year after 14 years at Taylor Wimpey
3 days ago

Morgan Sindall wins £61m Liverpool lab scheme

Construction to start this Autumn on latest Knowledge Quarter project
2 days ago

Glencar to build timber-framed office block

Work to start next month on 79,200 sq ft scheme in Maidenhead
3 days ago

Shed specialist Marbank files administration notice

£67m turnover portal-framed building specialist files court notice
3 days ago

Birmingham council submits £1bn Druids Heath plan

High rise estate to be replaced by-3,500 home eco village
3 days ago

Cannabis farm gang posed as utilities contractor

Gang jailed for 28 years after diverting power to more than 100 cannabis farms
5 days ago

Firm fined after workers climb scaffold without ladder

HSE investigation prompted by death on Liverpool site
3 days ago

Clancy renews £250m Southern Water deal

Contractor vows to maximise value for money and minimise disruption
3 days ago

McLaren go-ahead for 314 flats Watford scheme

Police station and magistrates court to be demolished
3 days ago

Former Liverpool mayor charged in building contracts probe

Construction bosses also charged as part of Operation Aloft
6 days ago

Bidding to start for £700m Irish sea interconnector work

Work includes converter stations at Hunterston and Kilroot near Belfast
6 days ago

Muse to redevelop Durham County Hall HQ site

Morgan Sindall regen specialist seals another major development deal
6 days ago

Mace to transform Imperial College Great Hall

Work to start next month on ambitious refit
6 days ago

£100m plan to regenerate former Digbeth ironworks

Hartwell unveils 260,000 sq ft office and 240 homs plan
6 days ago

Contractor services