Firstaiders save 12 year-old

Hilary Thompson, from Lancing, and Steve Walker, from Sompting, revived 12-year-old Natasha Morris, who was taking part in a senior camp organised by the Crawley & Horsham Pony Club.

Natasha also suffered facial injuries in the incident and was airlifted to the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath and later transferred by Matthew Codling and Daryl Peters, of the St John Ambulance Patient Transport Service, to the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Sick Children in Brighton.

She is now making a good recovery.

Natasha's mother, Denise, said: "I was so relieved when her breathing was restored and she was put into the recovery position to help keep her breathing going.

"I had taken a four-day first aid and work qualification myself and so felt reassured that Steve and Hilary would revive her. I cannot stress enough the importance of going on a short first aid

course."

Ro Jennings, District Commissioner for the Crawley & Horsham Pony Club said: "St John Ambulance responded quickly and with professionalism. It was teamwork at its best. Hilary kept working for 40 minutes with Natasha. The team were wonderful."

A variety of emergency first aid training courses for parents of babies and young children are available from the 10 St John Ambulance Sussex venue centres across East and West Sussex. The local centres are based at Horsham and Crawley.

To find out more, or to book a place, call the Sussex HQ on 01903 235599 or refer to their website: www.sussex.sja.org.uk