Postie Steve hailed a hero after helping save a man's life while out on his round

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A POSTMAN whose actions saved an elderly man's life said he felt honoured to be able to help someone in need.

Royal Mail postie Steve Johnson was going about his normal round when he heard a cry for help from a flat in the retirement accommodation complex in Whitehouse Road, Oxford.

The 44-year-old, who celebrates being a postman in the city for 20 years today, said he was able to alert the manager of the block, Pegasus Grange, to call paramedics on Monday.

The pensioner, believed to be in his early 80s was taken to hospital where it is understood he is recovering.

Father-of-one Mr Johnson said his actions were just a case of being in the right place at the right time.

The Wheatley resident added: "Just as I was delivering, I heard a cry from a man saying 'help me, help me'.

"I knew I couldn't get in so I went to look for the manager. I think the man had collapsed.

"The manager said the next day that I saved his life. It was just luck really, rather than judgement.

"I feel honoured to be able to help someone. I feel very humbled.

"He is a very nice man. He wouldn't want a fuss being made about it."

Mr Johnson said many postal workers help their customers in need and said he once stayed until an ambulance came after a woman badly cut her leg.

He added: "It's the other side of the job a lot of people don't see. We see a lot of people and when delivering to retirement homes and elderly people you can be their eyes and ears at times."

Residents at Pegasus Grange said they 'couldn't ask for a better postman'.

Staff at the Royal Mail sorting office said Mr Johnson had a 'fantastic personality' and was 'always willing to help'.

Spokeswoman Val Bodden added: "Our postmen and postwomen are the eyes and ears of the community and are often first on the scene when an incident like this occurs.

"We would like to commend Steve for his actions and we are proud of his speedy and caring attitude on this occasion."

Mr Johnson's colleague Bob Ratto, who is a cover manager at the Oxford processing unit in Oxpens Road, said postal workers such as Mr Johnson are like 'bobbies on the beat' every day.

Linda Ousaid, development manager at Pegasus Grange, which houses 130 residents, said they were 'incredibly grateful' for Mr Johnson's actions.

She added: "Steve is a huge part of our community and has come to know most of our residents here at Pegasus Grange.

"When he alerted me that he had heard a resident in his apartment call for help, we were able to come to his aid at once and get him to hospital. All residents have personal alarms but in this instance we’re incredibly grateful.

"We couldn’t ask for a better postman."

Mr Johnson is one of a few Royal Mail postmen in Oxfordshire to have helped save lives.

Postman Tony Rendell was been hailed a hero after dragging the man from a kitchen full of smoke in Thame last year

The 56-year-old was out on his usual morning delivery round in Kingston Blount when he saw a man on the floor in a house filled with smoke.

Mr Rendell threw water over the flames before they spread and pulled the man out to safety.

Last December, quick-thinking postman Graham Allen thwarted a full-blown house fire in Fringford.

The 61-year-old mailman really delivered when he heard a smoke alarm going off while on his rounds in Main Road.

He poked his nose up against a rear window and noticed smoke and a distinct burning smell coming from the kitchen and dialled 999 to avert a much larger incident.