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Two quick-thinking University of Birmingham staff who helped to save the life of an elderly man suffering a heart attack on a city street are to be honoured with the institution’s rarest accolade.

Sid Ford and Trevor Pendleton, who work in the University’s Post, Portering and Transport Services department, will receive the Vice-Chancellor’s medal in a surprise thank you ceremony today (Wednesday).

Returning from a delivery in the city, the pair rushed to the aid of 80-year-old Mr Ron Daniels, of Weoley Castle, who had collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a trip to collect his pension. Mr Ford, a trained first aider, and Mr Pendleton gave him cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the roadside for seven minutes until paramedics arrived to rush him to hospital. Mr Daniels has since made a full recovery.

His wife Betty, who will accompany her husband to personally thank the Good Samaritans, said: “I just want to send my heart-felt thanks to the two men who saved my beloved husband – and he is my beloved husband. I feel so very, very grateful to them both. If they hadn’t acted so quickly he wouldn’t be with us today.”

University Vice-Chancellor Professor David Eastwood commented: “There is no doubt that Sid Ford’s and Trevor Pendleton’s quick thinking saved Ron Daniels’ life. We are very proud of them and wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on their remarkable actions, and to give Mr and Mrs Daniels the chance to thank them personally.”

For more information please contact the University of Birmingham press office on +44 (0)121 414 6681 or email: pressoffice@contacts.bham.ac.uk

  • Sid Ford has worked for the University of Birmingham since February 2010. He attended a First Aid course in 2011 and took a refresher course last year.
  • Trevor Pendleton joined the University in 2011.
  • The Vice-Chancellor’s Medal is the gift of the Vice-Chancellor. Struck and engraved by Fattorini’s in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, it is awarded to individuals the University wishes to honour. It is not awarded annually but when deemed appropriate.