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Sheriff praises Reliance officer for saving his life
A Scots Sheriff has praised a quick thinking Reliance officer for helping to save his life.
When Sheriff Ian Cameron collapsed at the end of a case at Elgin Sheriff Court, Reliance Court officer Coll Macdonald vaulted onto the bench to administer first aid.
Now Sheriff Cameron has written to Reliance’s Operations Director in Scotland, Jim Greenoak to “express my appreciation of and gratitude for the help which I received from one of the Reliance team.
The Sheriff added that although he would never know for certain it was possible the prompt attention saved his life by preventing him from choking to death when he was sick while unconscious.
Sheriff Cameron explained: “I was on the bench, approaching the last of the custodies for the day when I began to feel slightly strange, but I thought I would last till the end of that particular case.
“The next of which I was aware was lying on the floor of the bench looking up at Coll MacDonald, a Grampian Police Officer and others and being told I had passed out and that an ambulance and my wife were on the way.
“I have since learned that when I collapsed Coll and the Constable immediately vaulted onto the bench and assisted me.
“I vomited, they placed me in the ‘recovery’ position, and although I will probably never know for certain, it is quite possible they saved my life by avoiding inhalation of vomit.
“All in all it was far from pleasant but I would like you to know that Coll was wonderful in the attention which he gave.”
The Sheriff added that as far as he is concerned the service the Reliance team give is: “not only exemplary in all respects, but all of them are most helpful and pleasant to deal with.”
Sheriff Cameron who was diagnosed as suffering from a viral infection, made a full recovery and is now back on the bench.
Acting Senior Custody Officer Coll Macdonald who has been with Reliance for 2 years, said:
“I didn’t really do that much, apart from administering basic first aid, which is part of the Reliance training and keeping him comfortable in the recovery position till the ambulance arrived.
“Sheriff Cameron is very popular with all the staff, and I was just glad I could do something to help him.”
Jim Greenoak said: “I really appreciate the fact that Sheriff Cameron took the time to put his thanks on record.
“I have already passed on my own thanks to Coll and the rest of the team at Elgin for their excellent work.”
Addenum to article on Reliance Officer Coll Macdonald saving the life of Sheriff Ian Cameron at Elgin Sheriff Court.
16/04/08
Following the incident Jim Greenoak visited Elgin Sheriff Court and met Sheriff Cameron in his chambers.
Mr Greenoak said: “Sheriff Cameron was very fulsome in his praise of Coll Macdonald, and reiterated his satisfaction with the service he and his court officers receive from the Reliance team at Elgin”.
“It was a point well made, and one I endorsed when I visited Inverness Vehicle Base where I presented a Reliance Certificate of Recognition to Coll MacDonald, and expressed the company’s appreciation”.
Mr Greenoak also presented a Reliance Certificate of Recognition to PCO William Greer for ‘consistently high performance and a willingness to assist the company beyond that normally required’.
Both men, who have been with Reliance for two years, also received recognition vouchers.