Two PCs hailed as heroes after saving new-born baby in Sunderland
Last updated 27th Jan 2022
Two police officers have been hailed as heroes after saving a new-born baby’s life while out on patrol.
Two-week-old Lenny-Lee began to choke in the Bridges Shopping Centre in Sunderland just four days before Christmas.
Desperate for help, panicked mum Arleen Avery immediately flagged down patrolling PCs Andy Hutchinson and Lee Fenwick as her brave son battled for his life.
Instinct then kicked in as the heroic officers – with a combined 32 years’ of experience with Northumbria Police – whisked mum and child to A&E at Sunderland Royal Hospital by blue lights.
Now, with Lenny-Lee safe and sound, the selfless PCs have been reunited with thankful mum Arleen at her Wearside home.
“I was in total shock,” Arleen, 31, said. “Lenny-Lee was foaming at the mouth and it was just sheer panic. I couldn’t believe what was happening.
“Honestly, I can’t remember much about it – it’s all a blur. But thank goodness these two officers were on hand to help. I can’t thank them enough for saving my son’s life.
“If they weren’t there, goodness knows what might have happened. They got us to hospital so quickly – it’s amazing, really. As a family, we owe them so much.”
After spending a night in hospital on December 22, Lenny-Lee returned home the next day and is now thankfully on the mend.
And the adorable tot was given a special police teddy bear to cuddle by kind-hearted PCs Hutchinson and Fenwick as a reward for being so brave.
Looking back on the incident, PC Hutchinson said: “We were on patrol in the city centre when Arleen ran over and said her two-week-old son was choking.
“He looked in a bad way so we knew we had to act quickly. Thankfully, everything worked out fine and he was OK – that’s the main thing.
“I’ve seen a lot of things as a police officer and not much phases me – but this certainly put that to the test. I’m just so pleased that Lenny-Lee is safe and well.
“As police officers, we are there to help – to protect the public, whatever the age. You come to work every day hoping to make a difference and I think we certainly managed it that day. It’s a shift I will never forget.”
Chief Inspector Neil Hall, of Northumbria Police, heaped praise on both PCs for their heroic intervention.
He said: “This was an incredibly difficult situation to be faced with – and both PCs had to make life-saving decisions under significant pressure and duress.
“There is little doubt that they saved Lenny-Lee’s life that day and they should be incredibly proud of themselves.
“I would like to personally thank both officers for their outstanding professionalism and determination – and am so pleased that this has ended in a positive outcome.”