A quick-thinking cadet rushed to help a collapsed man performing lifesaving first aid until emergency services arrived.

Alec Hunter pupil Alfie Seabrook, 14, has been praised after stepping in to help when he spotted a man lying at the side of Cressing Road, Braintree.

Alfie and uncle Mick Brophy were driving along the road at around 7.20pm on Saturday, April 28.

After seeing a man fall onto the cobbled pavement and gash his head, Alfie called out to his uncle to stop the vehicle.

The air cadet, who is in 158 Squadron, rushed from his uncle’s car, putting the man in the recovery position and watching over him until a first responder arrived to administer further care.

Mr Brophy said: “By the time I had parked the car and came up, Alfie had ordered a boy he knew to call 999, had moved the man into the recovery position and established that his pulse was very weak and relayed that information to the person calling 999.

“The man started to vomit and again Alfie moved the man’s body and head to ensure that he did not choke.”

An off-duty care assistant and then a first responder arrived on the scene and commenced CPR on the man.

Mr Brophy said: “The injured man was clearly suffering a cardiac arrest and throughout the CPR, Alfie held the man’s head in a position to maximise access to his airways.”

After half an hour with the injured gentleman, Alfie and his uncle left and returned home.

Mr Brophy said: “Not long after we got back, a police officer phoned us to say that the man had been taken to Basildon hospital.

“The police officer said that Alfie’s prompt action on seeing the man fall, had probably and hopefully saved his life. If the man had lain there unobserved for any length of time, the emergency services would probably have been too late.

“Without Alfie knowing how to position the body the man surely would have choked.

“The first responder administering the CPR also praised the way Alfie helped him holding the man’s head, preventing further injury and preventing choking.”

Colin Johnson, commanding officer of 158 Squadron, praised Alfie. He said: “I’m extremely proud of the actions of cadet Alfie Seabrook, for a cadet so young he showed great courage leadership, and maturity.

“His quick actions undoubtedly saved the life of the gentleman who unfortunately was taken unwell in the street and he deserves credit for this.

“He has done the Squadron and the Royal Air Force Air Cadets proud and shown that skills learnt as a cadet can be life changing. I congratulate him.”

The man, who was in his 50s, was taken to hospital and was not believed to be in a life-threatening condition.