A quick-thinking volunteer from Chester has been given a Special Achievement award for his heroic actions that saved a woman’s life.

Wayne Brown, who volunteers at Catch22 Volunteer Service in Upton, was given the accolade after witnessing a car crash on Blacon Avenue, Blacon on April 8 this year, just a day after attending an emergency life skills course run by the charity.

After running over to the car to see if he could help, Wayne, 32, noticed that the young woman in the car was being strangled by her seatbelt and was turning blue.

Luckily, the instructions he had learned on his training were fresh in his mind and, after noticing that petrol was leaking from the car, Wayne made the split second decision to remove the woman from the car.

Once away from the immediate danger of the petrol, he checked the woman’s airways to breathing, placed her in the recovery position and stayed with her until the ambulance crews arrived, who praised Wayne for his quick and decisive thinking.

Luckily, the woman was able to breathe on her own and made a full recovery after the crash.

Wayne’s award was presented by Catch22 Volunteer Co-ordinator Paula Bagnall, as he completed his Catch22 Home Visiting role training.

Paula said: “We are really proud of Wayne for putting all his training into action and for his continued commitment to supporting families and children in Chester.

“Wayne volunteers for Catch22 supporting families in Upton at the Sunshine Tots parent and toddler session and he is one of the charity’s Home Visiting Volunteers for families with children aged between 0-19 years.

“The support offered by our volunteers helps families cope better with the challenges of bringing up their children so they can reach their true potential and enjoy family life.”

Wayne added: “Joining the Catch22 volunteer team has been an amazing experience. I am so glad I attended the training and knew what to do when I saw the accident.”