Chippenham post woman hailed a hero

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A mystery post woman has been praised for stepping in to help a man after he seriously injured his arm with a grinder.

The air ambulance was called to a home in Sandown Drive, Chippenham, shortly after 11am today following reports that a man had seriously cut his arm.

The man was flown to Frenchay Hospital, but neighbours have praised a post woman who stepped in to help before emergency services arrived.

Malcolm Nixon, who lives nearby, said: "I think her name is Cecile and she did an awful lot of work to help this gentleman - she might even have helped to save his hand.

"She was delivering the mail and heard his cries for help, I think. Then she went in until the paramedics arrived, and stopped the bleeding.

"Like a lot of people do when the professionals arrive she left without saying who she was.

"I invited her in for a coffee because she was a bit shaken up, and she went off on her round as if nothing had happened.

"I am just concerned that this young lady might not get the recognition she deserved."

Although air ambulance crew were aware that a post woman had been involved in the incident she did not stay around long enough for them to thank her.

Police observer Kevin Reed, who attended the incident, said: "There was a lady there, but I think her involvement in it had ended by the time we turned up.

"It looked as if the gentleman had been doing some DIY at home and managed to catch it across his arm.

"We landed on a bit of ground outside the address and conveyed him to Frenchay Hospital.

"His injury was sufficient to take him to Frenchay, which is a specialist hospital for that sort of injury. It was serious enough to take him there rather than a normal hospital."

Anyone who knows the identity of the mystery post woman can call the Gazette's Chippenham office on (01249) 767065.

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Postwoman Camele Rivers has been praised for stepping in to help a man who severed the artery in his left arm with an angle grinder on Friday.

David Anthony was doing some DIY at his home in Sandown Road, Chippenham, when the accident happened.

Mrs Rivers, who has worked for Royal Mail for 20 years, was delivering mail to the patch that she has had for two years when Mr Anthony came out of his garage holding his bleeding arm and asked for her help.

Mrs Rivers wrapped his arm in a towel to stem the bleeding, before calling an ambulance and also Mr Anthony’s wife Sheila.

She waited with him until the emergency services arrived, and then went on with her round without leaving her name as if nothing had happened.

Mr Anthony, a 56-year-old lorry driver, was airlifted to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

Back home on Tuesday, he said: “The post woman was amazing. I was here alone and next door were out so I just grabbed her. I could not let go of my arm to use the phone so she called the ambulance for me. I owe her a lot.”

Referring to his ordeal, Mr Anthony said: “It was a bit of a shock but I am fine now. It could have been a lot worse.”

Mrs Anthony agreed. She said: “He was very lucky because he could have lost his hand. He will be off work for three months, but at least he is ok. We are so thankful to the post lady, and I have been to take her some flowers to show her how much we appreciate what she did.”

However, 38-year-old Mrs Rivers remains modest about her actions and said: “Anyone would have stepped up to help in the circumstances. Instinct just took over.”

Neighbours were also keen to praise Mrs Rivers.

Malcolm Nixon, who lives nearby, said: “I invited her in for a coffee because she was a bit shaken up, and she went off on her round as if nothing had happened.

“I am just concerned that this young lady might not get the recognition she deserved.”