A POLICE officer has been given a national honour after saving a man’s life.

Pc Dawn McIntyre was awarded a resuscitation certificate by the Royal Humane Society for her actions after an attack on a man in Rushby Mead, Letchworth GC.

The 42-year-old - who was a police community support officer (PCSO) at the time - spoke to the Comet about the experience in November 2010, following the UK charity’s announcement of her award.

“A call came in to say somebody had been attacked,” said Pc McIntyre, who was patrolling the area with another PCSO.

“Paramedics were called but we arrived first on the scene and we noticed a body on the ground. The person looked like they had been badly beaten. I crouched down on the floor and saw that he wasn’t breathing. I could see that he was choking on blood that was coming out his mouth.”

After rolling him on his side and clearing the blood from his mouth, paramedics arrived. Pc McIntyre then assisted with cardiac pulmonary resuscitation after the man stopped breathing again.

“The paramedic said I had saved the man’s life,” she said.

Reflecting on the incident, Pc McIntyre, who was recommended for the award by Hertfordshire Constabulary, added: “It was scary to know that there wasn’t anybody else there to help. It was really frightening be absolutely responsible for this man. Once it was all done with I was just in shock.

“It was definitely not something we (PCSOs) would normally go to but it was just a case of being in the right place at the right time. Having had that happen and dealing with it, I now know I am prepared if something like that happens again.”