Edinburgh mum-of-three has life saved by Asda colleague after collapsing with brain aneurysm
Lisa Colborne collapsed in the Asda store in Tranent after an aneurysm ruptured on her brain and her colleague Lauren Watt carried out CPR for 15 minutes until paramedics arrived.
Lisa, who has three children Rylie, eight, Dylan, 21, and Brendan,19 said: "What Lauren did for me that day was simply amazing. She definitely saved my life and I can't thank her enough."
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Hide AdSection leader Lauren was just leaving the store at the end of the day when she received a phone call from another section leader, Brodie Ross, telling her that Lisa had collapsed by the front door of the shop.
Lauren, who's first aid trained, said: "I rushed to the incident while Brodie was on the phone to the emergency services. I found Lisa unconscious on the ground and not moving. Knowing I was first-aid trained Brodie passed over the phone to me and I followed the instructions of the 999 operator.
"We put the defibrillator pads on Lisa to monitor her and I began CPR and did so until the paramedics arrived. They then instructed me to keep going while they got their equipment.
"I had the phone to my shoulder all the time I was doing the compressions and the operator kept me really calm and was counting with me.
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Hide Ad"At the time I was just totally focussed on what I was doing. I was just saying to myself 'keep going' so I could save her. It was probably the most terrifying experience I've ever had in my life. Knowing now that she is okay is an incredible feeling.
"When the paramedics took over I just felt totally exhausted. While I was doing the CPR my adrenaline had kept me going. Although I was first aid trained you don't expect to use it like that!"
Lisa was taken by ambulance to the Western General Hospital where she had an emergency operation.
Lauren said: "The paramedics said if that if I hadn't kept Lisa's bloods flowing by administering CPR she would no long be with us. I'm just so happy that I've helped her stay to with her family."
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Hide AdLisa, who's recovering at home after her ordeal, remembers very little of the incident. She was rushed to hospital where she had surgery on her brain and also developed pneumonia.
Lisa was in hospital for two weeks and is now recovering at home.
She added: "I can't thank Lauren enough. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for Lauren. She kept me alive. She had to give me CPR for about 15 minutes so was quite a long time. I did end up with a broken rib, but better to have a broken rib though than be dead! Everyone was so scared, they didn't think I'd make it."
Store manager Peter McAloon says the whole store was proud of Lauren. He said: "I only heard about the incident second hand because Lauren is so humble. She wasn't putting it out that she'd saved someone's life – which speaks volumes about her as a person. Saving someone's life is not something you do every day. We are so proud of her."