Off-duty police officer helps save woman's life

A woman from Guernsey has been reunited with the off-duty police officer who saved her life.

Tina Collenette suffered a heart attack and cardiac arrest on 9 September last year when police officer James De La Mare came to her assistance.

PC De La Mare, who was parked on the Albert Pier at the same time as Ms Collenette, rushed over and used a defibrillator to resuscitate her, which ultimately saved her life.

Ms Collenette then reached out by sending a letter to the chief of police in January, to find the officer who helped her.

After being reunited with the officer, she said: "How do you thank someone who has saved your life? There is nothing you can do that is enough to say thank you.

"The most important message I want to come from my experience is to actively encourage people to be trained in life-saving techniques, whether that is learning CPR through a course that is offered through your workplace, or something you seek out as an individual."

PC De La Mare said: "Meeting Tina... was an absolute honour, along with her children Hannah and Joe.

"Seeing Tina doing so well and hearing her story was the greatest thank you I could ever receive.

"I am so grateful that I was there when it happened and that I could make a difference.

"Moments like these remind me exactly why I joined the police service."

According to Guernsey Police, others were at the scene and offered to help, including a retired doctor an off-duty firefighter.

Ms Collenette's family added that they would be grateful to contact them and send personal thanks if those individuals could be found.

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