Life-saving cop is given award

Nov 3 2011 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

A LIFE-SAVING hero cop will be presented with a top award at a special awards ceremony today (Thursday).

Lothian and Borders Police Meritorious Service Awards recognise the heroism of police and the general public.

And among those to be rewarded will be Livingston-based Constable Donald McFadyen.

The policeman was on duty in Bathgate for the Newland’s Day celebrations in June 2010, when he was called to help seven-day-old Archie Greenwell who had stopped breathing.

The tot was in his home at Marjoribanks Street with his parents and their friends when he choked and began to turn blue.

Donald calmed Archie’s terrified parents and began to perform CPR on the baby.

He asked someone to call the emergency services to get instructions on how to care for the baby and he showed the woman who was holding Archie how to rub the youngster’s chest to help get him breathing.

Thankfully, Archie suddenly opened his eyes and started to cough.

An ambulance arrived and took the baby to hospital where he was discharged a few hours later.

A police spokeswoman praised Donald’s actions and said he richly deserves his award.

She said: “Constable McFadyen's calm and sensitive approach in such a desperate situation undoubtedly saved this little boy's life, and we are delighted to recognise his achievement today.”

However, the officer remains modest about what he did.

Donald said: “I’m quite pleased to get the award.

“I’ve bumped into the wee boy and his family once or twice since and I’m really glad that he’s alright but it may be that he would have snapped out of it without me doing anything.”

The week will see a double celebration for Donald as he was also presented with a long service award from the police on Wednesday.

He said: “My wife Phyllis is coming with me to the meritorious service awards on Thursday, so I think we’ll go somewhere for a meal afterwards as a celebration.”