Express & Star

Wednesbury teenager wins young hero award for saving his dad's life

A Sandwell schoolboy has won a national award after saving his father's life.

Published
Craig and Caine Wildman at the awards ceremony

Caine Wildman had completed a first aid course just days before springing into action to save dad Craig in February.

The Wednesbury teenager was awarded the title of Young Hero of the Year by St John Ambulance chiefs at a ceremony in London.

Caine, aged 14, returned from school to his home in Moxley in February to find his father lying on the sofa. He thought he was just playing with his younger siblings, Vinny, 12, Indy, seven and Jensen, five.

Craig Wildman with his life-saving son Caine

However, when he came downstairs after getting changed and called his name, he realised his 40-year-old dad was unresponsive and was turning blue.

Caine immediately put his recent first aid course to good use by putting his dad in the recovery position and calling an ambulance.

The operator then guided him through the CPR technique, which he remembered from his training. His father had gone into respiratory failure but Caine saved his life.

The RSA Academy pupil was among a number of winners at the charity's Everyday Heroes awards ceremony at the Hilton London Bankside.

He said afterwards: "I'm overwhelmed, really. It feels great to have won, even though I don't feel like I've done anything that great.

Caine Wildman at the ceremony

"I think everyone should be taught first aid. It taught me the skills that helped me save my dad."

Fis father Caine said: "For me, personally, Caine winning tonight is like an ultimate dream, because of what he did for me. Caine has given me the opportunity to be part of his life and all my children's lives."

St John Ambulance is calling for everyone to learn simple life-saving skills, and campaigns to provide pupils with at least one hour of first aid training each year.

St John Ambulance’s annual awards celebrate the nation's life savers, honouring community heroes, organisations and members of the public who have used first aid to help others.

The ceremony was hosted by TV presenter Katie Piper, herself an acid attack survivor.

Steve Hargreaves, the charity's regional director, said: "It’s right that we take the time to recognise these truly remarkable people on a national stage as stories like Caine’s really show the difference first aid can make.

"They are an inspiration and should all be incredibly proud of their achievements. I would urge everyone to download the St John Ambulance app, go to our website, or find us on social media, because first aid is so easy to learn and it could help them save a life."