Airmen save girl

CPL Gordon Eadie & LAC Paul Judges

TWO SECPOL members have helped save the life of a two-year-old girl in a Middle East shopping centre while serving on Op Catalyst.

The girl’s mother spotted the Australians – Corporal Ewan Eadie, from the Directorate Security and Policing in Canberra, and Leading Aircraftman Paul Judges, from No. 386 Expeditionary Combat Support Squadron at RAAF Base Richmond – and brought them to her unconscious daughter, who appeared to have been choking.

She had been placed on a dining table in a shopping centre. CPL Eadie said although the girl was breathing, she was not responding to the actions of her father.

“We were able to establish an airway, confirm that she was breathing and arrange for ice to be applied to her as it appeared she was overheated,” CPL Eadie said.

A small group of onlookers had assembled and were offering remedies but the two airmen responded swiftly.

They kept well-wishers back so they could continue their efforts to assist and stabilise her. LAC Judges said the pair were able to fill the ambulance crew in on the situation when they arrived about 20 minutes later.

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