Northern Ireland postman Darren saves life of little boy whose terrified mum thought had died

Megan McCandless (25) from the Quickthorn area of the Co Londonderry town was at home last Thursday afternoon when her 15-month-old boy Caleb had a seizure, something she had never witnessed before.

As she ran onto the street for help with Caleb in her arms, postman Darren Dickson (44) happened to be on his round and came to help.

"I honestly thought Caleb was dead," she said.

"I was terrified, I was crying and screaming. I was just so glad he was there, because I didn't know what I was doing, my whole body was shaking."

That morning Caleb had a temperature and his mother had arranged a doctor's appointment.

"I woke him up to give him his lunch, 10 to 15 minutes later his eyes started to roll and he went into seizure. I didn't have any idea what happened," she said.

"Darren got Caleb to come back around, it all happened so quickly I don't even know what he did. My mind was totally blank as I was in shock."

Neighbours soon called for help, but before long Caleb took another seizure in the ambulance. Thankfully, after a night in hospital he was able to return home. Doctors said a sudden high temperature had peaked, causing the seizure.

Darren said he knew what to do thanks to a first aid course he took five years ago; and after the terrifying ordeal he carried on with his shift.

"I was doing my rounds, delivering my mail," he said.

"I'd just come out of her house and was walking down to the next door and Megan came running and shouting.

"I turned round and saw her with Caleb in her arms and he was limp and lifeless. She was screaming and didn't know what to do, so I just ran up to her and said, 'Give me the child'."

Darren brought Caleb indoors, laying him on his knee.

"I actually thought he was choking," he said.

"I tapped his back to see if I could dislodge something, then I put my finger in his mouth and pulled his tongue forward, I think it was blocking his airway. I got his airway cleared and he started to come round a bit."

Minutes passed while both Darren and Caleb's mother feared the worst.

"After a while he started to cough and started screaming, it was probably the best sound I've heard in a long time," he said.

As paramedics took Caleb into the ambulance, Darren continued his round.

"I just carried on with my delivery, I didn't know what else to do," he said. "I kept looking back and the ambulance was still sitting there. I later heard he had taken another seizure."

He continued: "I surprised myself I was actually that calm. When I saw the state Megan was in, that made me want to keep her calm.

"I'm getting a lot of praise from all the work colleagues and people in the Coleraine area have been congratulating me, which is nice but a bit embarrassing to say the least. I'm just glad I could help the wee boy.

"I would definitely say to people, do a first aid course, as you never know when it may come into use. I saw Caleb again on Saturday, he was in good form.

"It was good to see Megan looking and feeling a bit better as well, she's a lovely girl."

Megan added her thanks to Darren as well as her neighbours who called for help.

"I couldn't thank him enough, he walked in my house and I just gave him a big hug, I was just so grateful for everything he did".