A 39 year old First Aberdeen bus driver was crowned a ‘hero’ and a ‘Superstar’ today after his quick reactions saved the life of one of his passengers, who suffered a heart attack on board a bus.
Shane Mitchell, a First Aberdeen Bus Driver for two and a half years, had just started his shift on Monday February 3rd 2014 and was driving a Service 2 bus along Union Street, when he heard a thud. A customer informed him that someone had collapsed. Shane immediately pulled over and from there his instincts took over.
“I knew something was wrong because the gentleman’s lips had turned blue,” said Shane. “I tried shouting in his ear, but there was no response, so then checked for a pulse, but couldn’t find one. I asked one of my other passengers to call an ambulance, and then I set about trying to revive him.
“I opened his shirt, checked his airways and then began CPR. I just kept going until the ambulance arrived, hoping that I could get some form of response. The emergency services arrived within a few minutes and rushed him to hospital.”
Shane, who lives in Sheddocksley with his wife, continued: “I didn’t hear anything and I feared the worst, but I was contacted the next morning by the family of the passenger. They confirmed that he was going to be OK and that my actions had probably saved his life and certainly prevented brain damage - by performing CPR I had kept the blood pumping to the brain.
“I just did what anyone would have done in those circumstances,” said Shane.
The passenger concerned was 72 year old Allan Mclean, a retired labourer, from the city’s Gallowgate who was heading into the city centre at the time after getting a haircut on King Street. He said: “The day it happened is just a blur – I actually don’t recall getting a haircut. But I remember feeling unwell on the bus and then experiencing excruciating pain in my chest – I remember thinking I must be having a heart attack and then I blacked out. The next thing I knew I was in hospital wondering how I got there.
“Thankfully I’m making a good recovery, but I will be forever indebted to Shane. There is no doubt in my mind that he saved my life. I am incredibly grateful that I am able to continue enjoying my life and spending time with my two children, my grand-son and my two grand-daughters.”
Allan Mclean, his son (also Allan) and two of his grandchildren, Danny and Emily, paid a special visit to First Aberdeen today to thank Shane.
Allan Mclean continued: “It was really important to me to get the chance to thank Shane in person. He is a very unassuming and conscientious person but he deserves all the credit in the world.”
Allan’s grand-son, Danny Mclean (aged two), said: “Bus man saved my Granda!”
First Aberdeen has also formally recognised Shane’s actions. He has been awarded the company’s internal ‘Superstar of the Month’ award, has been nominated for the ‘Superstar of the Year’ title and will be nominated as ‘Frontline Employee of the Year’ at the National Transport Awards.
Operations Manager at First Aberdeen, David Adam, said: “All at First Aberdeen are incredibly proud of Shane. Our internal Superstar awards reward our employees who go that extra mile for our customers. There is no better example of customer service than saving the life of one of our passengers!”
First's Superstar scheme recognises outstanding behaviour by staff. Nominations are received from colleagues and customers each month and the winner is presented with £100 worth of shopping vouchers. To nominate a bus driver for a Superstar award, please visitwww.firstgroup.com/superstars.