National Pubwatch has rewarded the bravery of Dominic Hewitt, door supervisor and former bar manager Sinéad Ní Ghiolla Bhrighde of Popworld in Chelmsford, for their heroic actions in saving the life of a 23-year-old man who was stabbed.
The pair were handed National Pubwatch Bravery & Meritorious Conduct Awards from the voluntary organisation, which supports over 800 Pubwatch schemes across the UK, and works to promote safe, secure and social drinking environments in all licensed premises throughout the UK.
The awards, sponsored by Licensing Connect, recognise individuals whose actions have either saved life or minimised physical harm in the night-time economy.
It was in the early hours of Sunday, 24th March 2024 when there was an incident between a number of males on the street outside Popworld in Chelmsford. Dominic together with police officers chased a suspect who had pulled a knife to try and apprehend him. While taking chase Hewitt found a man who had been involved in a fight with the assailant and noticed that he was bleeding from a stab wound to his chest.
He called manager Sinéad for a bleed kit and both gave him medical attention. When he suffered a traumatic cardiac arrest, the pair who were both training to be paramedics, began chest compressions until he had regained a pulse and then handed him over to ambulance paramedics.
On receiving the award Dominic, said: “At the time you don’t think you just step in and do what you need to do. It is good to be recognised as a door supervisor for the good that we do. I did not expect to win an award and it is great that we are receiving this together.”
Sinead, who is now working as a paramedic for London Ambulance Service, added: “I was honoured to be put forward for this award. We acted on instinct and it triggered that response. It is lovely that both of us are receiving this award together as we are great friends and we really appreciate it.”
National Pubwatch chair Steve Baker OBE, said: “Dominic and Sinéad went above and beyond to save the life of this man who had been stabbed on a night out. Their heroic actions saved his life and it is a privilege to recognise their dedication and life-saving actions.”
The awards were presented at the National Pubwatch Conference this week at The Double Tree by Hilton London Elstree.
