POLICE came to the aid of a choking baby by the roadside after being flagged down on the B3078. 

Officers came across a vehicle parked on the verge of the carriageway and were "furiously flagged down" on Sunday afternoon.

An eight-month-old baby was choking on the roadside, police say, and officers stepped in to administer first aid before paramedics arrived.

A post on the Fordingbridge Cops Facebook page about the incident said that they noticed a vehicle parked on the verge of the carriageway and were "furiously flagged down" by a member of the public. 

"It transpired that their eight-month baby was choking and our officers stepped in to administer first aid, while making calls to secure emergency service support via paramedics. 

"An off-duty doctor arrived on scene to continue providing treatment and was closely followed by an ambulance, who took the baby to hospital as a precaution. 

"The parents were very thankful for our officers quick actions, but for us, it is just part of our duty in serving our local communities."

New Forest West District Inspector Mike Minnock, praised the response of the officers, adding: “All our officers have received enhanced first-aid training, as part of their day-to-day duties, and as such are in a position to react to scenarios which may require them to administer aid in the initial phases of an incident prior to the arrival of paramedics. 

“As is always the case, our officers will always stop and help an individual in need when requested or if they come across them during their duties; as was the case for a couple of my officers on Sunday afternoon. 

"They were presented with a family in a very distressing situation involving their young baby and my officers reacted promptly and professionally to provide first-aid and request further support after contacting the Police Control Room. 

"Paramedics were on-scene within 10 minutes of being contacted – but I am proud of those officers who were able to take instinctive action and stop the child from choking, while providing reassurance to the parents of the child in what I can only imagine was a very traumatic situation for them. 

“We don’t know what we’ll face when out patrolling in the local community, but I would just like to reiterate that if you are in need of support from the police and see officers on patrol, please flag them down and they will be able to assist you. If there is an immediate danger, please dial 999 immediately."

“Organisations such as St John’s Ambulance have some useful and informative resources available on their website providing guidance to parents on what to do if they’re child is choking - https://www.sja.org.uk/get-advice/first-aid-advice/choking/baby-choking/

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