National Express West Midlands bus driver Steven Welsh saved the life of a 17 month old baby girl who had stopped breathing.
On Thursday April 12th, 37 year old Steven’s day started as normal. He was driving the service 29 from Walsall with a bus load of passengers. After coming to a stop behind a vehicle with its hazard lights on, he noticed a man get out of the car with a young baby in his arms.
17 month old baby Evie-Mai had stopped breathing after having a fit and swallowing her tongue. Evie’s father, Steven Hatfield, was terrified and shouted for help.
Bus driver Steven, who is also known as Beaver back at his local garage in Walsall, immediately went over to help. He managed to prise open Evie’s mouth, which had locked shut, and managed to clear her airways so that she could start to breathe again.
Paramedics arrived shortly after and took baby Evie to hospital where dad Steven and Evie’s mum Charlotte were told that she had suffered a febrile seizure but was well enough to go home.
Bus driver Steven, who has two children of his own aged five and seven, said: “In my 12 years with National Express I have never come across anything like it. It was frightening. You don’t expect that to ever happen but my instinct just kicked in. To feel her breath on my hand again was such a relief. I was just in the right place at the right time and I’m so glad Evie-Mai is going to be ok.”
Charlotte Millington, Evie-Mai’s mum, said: “Evie’s dad and I are unbelievably thankful for what Beaver did. He saved our little girl’s life and we wish there was something we could do to show him how grateful we are. I hope we stay in contact so Evie-Mai will grow up knowing that Beaver is her superman.”
Tom Stables, managing director of National Express West Midlands, said: "Everybody at National Express is very proud of Steven. He didn't hesitate to help, he stayed calm and did the right thing. What a hero for saving baby Evie-Mai's life."
