A Co Down mum has hailed the quick-thinking actions of an off-duty police officer who saved her choking son, saying she owes the woman her life.

Lynsey Hagen was on a visit to Ards Shopping Centre when suddenly her son Lucas began choking on a soft mint close to the entrance.

The four-year-old turned pale as he struggled to breathe. Mum Lynsey panicked and screamed for help.

"I've had the first aid training course but I just froze," she told the Belfast Telegraph, "I suppose when it's your own child it's different."

As people gathered around it was then that the off-duty police officer came forward.

"She was so calm. She put him over her knee and tried slapping his back and then she tried to get her arms around him to squeeze his stomach, but his knees kept buckling and it was tough to do," Lynsey continued.

"She called for an ambulance and I really feared the worst. I just knew that if we waited on an ambulance then he would be dead... But thankfully she managed to dislodge it."

Newtownards woman Lynsey said that such was her relief that her son was ok, that she only managed to say a quick thank you to the officer before they parted ways. She says her son, as with most little boys, is over his ordeal although he was shocked.

"I owe her my life and my son's and I just want her to know how grateful we are for it and would like to acknowledge that," the 26-year-old said.

"It's your worst fear, but she was there in the right place at the right time and able to step in and be so calm, we would love to thank her properly."

Expand Expand Previous Next Close Four-year-old Lucas. Lynsey Hagen and son Lucas. / Facebook

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Posting on Facebook, PSNI Lisburn praised the woman. "Never Off Duty... You know who you are. Well Done!"

Belfast Telegraph