My son saved my life. I'm so proud of what he did…

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), April 28, 2008

Byline: By LIZ LAMB

QUICK-THINKING Gary Smith saved his mum's life after she choked on a cracker.

The 27-year-old hero resuscitated 53-year-old Glynis when she collapsed and stopped breathing at the family home in New York, North Tyneside.

Glynis even slipped into a coma following the freak accident as her son battled to save her life.

While Gary's dad Martin, 52, called 999, his son, a Red Cross volunteer and trained first aider, sprung into action.

Gary revealed: "I was in bed asleep, it was about one in the morning, when I heard my dad screaming for me.

"I ran into their bedroom and mam was on the floor.

"She had collapsed and gone limp.

"I started to resuscitate her."

Glynis, who suffers from a rare neurological condition, was taken to North Tyneside Hospital, where doctors managed to remove the blocked food from her throat and stabilise her.

She has no recollection of her son saving her life but is thankful for his quick thinking.

The last thing she remembers is going downstairs at around 1am for a snack and eating a cracker with cheese in the kitchen.

She said: "When I woke up in hospital I didn't have a clue. It was a shock. It's brilliant what Gary did. I'm very proud of him."

Gary learned his lifesaving techniques when he was unemployed and signed up for a first aid course with the Red Cross in North Tyneside.

The security guard, who works at Tesco, in North Shields, said: "I never thought I would ever have to use my first aid skills on my family."

As for Glynis she has never touched a cracker since.

She said: "When I was in hospital they tried to give me a meal of cheese and crackers.

"I thought no way.

"I have not touched one since.

"They are banned from the house now."

THE BEST MOVE I EVER MADE: PAGES 22/23

CAPTION(S):

MY HERO: Gary Smith, of New York, a Red Cross volunteer who recently saved his mum Glynis's life PICTURES: DAVE CHARLTON www.icNewcastle.co.uk/buyaphoto ref: 01290448; TRAINING: Gary Smith helped his mum