A POLICE officer has been praised for his quick-thinking and swift responses which led him to save an elderly man’s life.

Pc Sam Banthorpe was driving back to Suffolk police’s headquarters in Martlesham last month when he noticed a car had struck a tree.

After approaching the car he discovered the driver “slumped at the wheel”.

“I just thought I had to do something and help. The man didn’t have a pulse when I checked him over,” he said.

“I then started doing CPR and when the paramedics got there they told me to keep going and eventually after about 15 minutes it worked.”

Pc Banthorpe, who covers the Ipswich area, said when carrying out CPR he didn’t think anything of it.

“When you’re there in that moment you just want to do it and get on with it,” he said. “You don’t think about how serious it is because you are doing what you can to help.”

Ipswich Policing Command Superintendent Martin Ransome applauded Pc Banthorpe’s efforts helping save the man’s life.

He said: “I am sure that Sam’s actions on the day contributed to saving the man’s life. I was pleased to hear that the man was discharged from hospital a few days later.

“I would like to praise Sam for his quick-thinking and effective use of emergency first aid, demonstrating the dedication and commitment Suffolk police officers have to serving their communities.”