NHS hero honoured for exceptional bravery after life-saving action off-duty

NHS hero honoured for exceptional bravery after life-saving action off-duty

An off-duty NHS worker from Alexandra Hospital, Redditch has been honoured by the Royal Humane Society with an award for exceptional bravery, after her selfless quick action helped save a life and prevent further injury at the scene of a serious motorway collision.

Senior Radiography Assistant, Amanda Field was on her way to visit family in Manchester when a serious road traffic collision unfolded in front of her on the M6 motorway.

Witnessing a motorcycle carrying two people lose control and hit the motorway’s central reservation, Amanda sprung into action when both the rider and passenger were thrown from the bike.

Recognising the immediate danger, Amanda safely pulled onto the hard shoulder, exited her vehicle and began signalling for traffic to stop. With no emergency services yet on scene, she courageously went onto the motorway to provide urgent first aid.

Drawing on her 15 years of NHS experience and clinical training, Amanda calmly took charge of the situation by giving clear instructions to bystanders of how to help, while she assessed and treated the injured passenger, before moving on to perform CPR on the injured rider.

To acknowledge Amanda’s incredible courage and quick thinking, Staffordshire Police – where the motorway incident took place – invited her to their headquarters recently to receive a Royal Humane Society Award which acknowledged her bravery ‘regardless of the significant dangers of the live fast lane’.

On receiving her award, Amanda said: “I was more nervous about accepting the award than doing what would come natural to me to help others.”

Reflecting on the experience, Amanda explained: “This incident will stay with me forever as we take for granted at work, should an emergency arise, that back up help is always on hand.”

“I feel quite proud of how I handled it at the time and I wouldn’t hesitate should anything like this was to happen again,” she added.

Lead Superintendent Radiographer at Alexandra Hospital, Marisa Roberson, said: “This was an extraordinary act of bravery and compassion. Amanda represented the very best of the NHS – using her knowledge and training, remaining calm under immense pressure, and putting others first. We are incredibly proud of having Amanda as part of our caring team.”