An Isle of Wight mother has thanked firefighters who came to her aid when her one-year-old daughter was struggling to breathe in her car seat last year.

Tami Mahoney, from Ryde, was sitting in the back of a relative's car when her daughter Alyssa suddenly became ill, appeared to be choking, then started gasping for air and became unresponsive.

Acting fast, the car was pulled over, and Tami called 999 for help. 

Help came from Green Watch at Ryde Fire Station, who respond to cardiac arrest calls to support the IW Ambulance Service. 

At the scene, the crew cleared Alyssa's airways with their immediate medical response equipment, and thankfully, Alyssa took a big breath for herself before receiving care for a seizure from the ambulance service.

The emotional reunion took place when Green Watch visited Alyssa, now two, at her pre-school for a planned 'Meet the Fire Service' visit earlier this week (July 17).

Tami said: “It was very emotional seeing the crew again. It felt heartbreaking and amazing to see my daughter with Firefighter Becks, who I handed Alyssa over to that day.

"I hugged Becks tight and just didn’t want to let her go.

“I know for a fact if the crew hadn’t turned up when they did and did what they did Alyssa wouldn’t be here today.

“We want to share our story so more people are aware that the fire service can help with these types of medical emergencies before an ambulance arrives, especially when minutes save lives.

"My partner and I will be forever grateful to the crew.”

Green Watch Ryde said: “When we arrived at Alyssa’s pre-school and saw her walk towards us holding her mum and dad’s hand, we couldn’t help but feel emotional, knowing full well how different the outcome could have been.

“We feel so proud as a team because of our quick interventions Aylssa is here today healthy, thriving at pre-school and laughing with her friends."

Louise Walker, IW Ambulance Service’s head of education and community response, said: “The timely response and effective care given to Alyssa by Ryde Green Watch undoubtedly contributed to her positive outcome. 

"We are extremely grateful for the enhancement that all HIWFRS cardiac arrest responders give to our service and patients.”

Image caption: From left to right, firefighters Darren Murphie, Becks Thompson, Mark Grimes, Danny Woodford, Chas Wright, Ross Smallcombe (back row), and Jamie Hanmore, Alyssa and Tami Mahoney (front row)

(Image: Hampshire and IW Fire and Rescue Service)