A QE student has spoken of how remaining calm and drawing on vital first aid training helped him save a man’s life during a traumatic roadside emergency.
Sam Ellis, 16, a first-year student at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, was travelling back from the Peak District when he came across a male cyclist lying unconscious in the middle of the road.
Recognising the seriousness of the situation, Sam immediately put the man into the recovery position. When he realised the cyclist had stopped breathing, he began delivering life-saving CPR.
Sam continued CPR alongside another member of the public and took an active role in managing the scene, directing passers-by until emergency services arrived.
The cyclist had suffered a cardiac arrest and spent three days in an induced coma. He has since returned home from hospital and is now recovering. Sam later spoke to the man and his wife, who thanked him for his actions and told him he had saved his life.
Sam, who is a Sergeant in the Northallerton Air Cadets and part of the QE Combined Cadet Force, said: “I was travelling back on my motorbike when I saw someone unconscious in the road. There was already another person there, but they weren’t sure what to do.
“Because of my first aid training through the Air Cadets, I knew how important it was to act quickly. Once I realised he wasn’t breathing, I started CPR straight away.”
Sam remained at the scene for several hours and played a key role while waiting for emergency services following the incident, which took place in April.
“It was a surreal experience,” he said.
“At the time, I wasn’t scared or nervous — my focus was entirely on doing what I could to help him.”
Reflecting afterwards, Sam said it was only later that the full impact of what had happened became clear.
“Speaking to the man and his wife afterwards really brought it home. They told me he wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for what happened that day, and that was very emotional to hear.”
Sam is currently studying Maths, Physics and French at QE and has been a member of the Air Cadets for four years. It was through this training that he gained the first aid skills that proved critical in an emergency.
After college, Sam hopes to pursue a career in the emergency services.
“I’m pleased I had the training and the confidence to help when it mattered,” he said.
“It’s definitely reinforced that I want a career where I can help people in high‑pressure situations.”
