A Hitchin garden centre manager proved to be a hero to help a colleague who had collapsed in distress – by using skills she has learned as a cub scout leader.

Wyvale Garden Centre duty manager Corrine Scott had to switch from looking after plants to give first aid to co-worker Jake Stevens.

Caring Corrine takes up the story. She said: “When he dislocated his knee at the front ill my scout first aid training just kicked in.

“I knew exactly what to do. It was worth the many hours in cold classrooms learning all the procedures for dealing with fractures and shock.”

Corrine who is a cub scout leader with Luton-based Strathmore and St Saviour’s Scout Group. She immediately called an ambulance while reassuring poor Jake at the same time.

Corrine added: “I got Jake to take deep breaths and to squeeze my hand.

“They said the paramedics would come as soon as they could. I sent another colleague outside to wait for the ambulance.”

Unfortunately Jake then went into shock – which is where Corrine really earned her keep after learning vital skills from being part of the scouts.

As the drama unfolded she stayed calm.

The modest hero explained: “He was already in the recovery position on the floor so I spoke calmly to him and told him he needed to focus on his breathing and that he was doing really well.

“I put a blanket over him to keep him warm and he eventually calmed down and said he could no longer feel the pain.

“For an hour or so I sat on the floor with him and when the pain returned held his hand and talked to him to distract him from what was happening.

“It was three hours before the paramedics came and took him off to Lister hospital to be treated.

“As duty manager I had to help other staff with any questions and look after any who were distressed with what was happening. It was quite an experience.

“I am so grateful to the scouts who, for 10 years, have drilled into me all the skills I need to look after a pack of 36 active and adventurous cub scouts.

“I now know they are life skills that are valuable anywhere.”

Thankfully Jake is now back at work after his knee was rearranged after he was taken from the garden centre on Cambridge Road.

Grateful Jake said of Hitchin’s ‘Florence Nightingale’: “Corrine did fantastic work with her first aid. I don’t remember much except the pain and her soothing hand.”

Centre manager David Bolton added: “Corrine is an absolute shining star.

“She takes great pride in being involved with the scouts and often regales us with tales of her exploits.

“She is a huge credit to the scout movement and the great job they do.”