A SCHOOLBOY leapt into action to stop a woman from choking to death.

Rhys Wareing, 15, has been hailed as a hero after his actions saved Nicola Crawley's life.

Nicola, 34, was eating toast in her car on her way to work when a piece became lodged in her throat.

Unable to breathe, she staggered out and desperately tried to summon help.

Quick-thinking Rhys, who was walking to school, raced to her aid.

Using his experience as a trained first-aider he gave her four sharp blows between her shoulder blades and managed to dislodge the food.

They then went their separate ways. But after recovering a dazed Nicola, from Shaw, Oldham, remembered spotting Rhys' Royton and Crompton school sweatshirt.

She got in touch with a friend who works at the school and headteacher Des Herlihy put out an appeal to trace the unknown hero at a special assembly.

It was only then that Rhys - who volunteers for the St John Ambulance - came forward.

The pair have now been reunited but Rhys, from Oldham, continues to play down his heroics.

He said: "At the time I didn't consider the significance of what I had done other than to instinctively respond to an emergency in the prompt way I had been trained.

"It was only as word circulated I realised I had saved someone's life."

Nicola, a call centre manager, says she will be forever in Rhys' debt.

Calm and reassuring

She explained: "I couldn't breathe and honestly thought I was going to die. I got out of my car and asked for help and Rhys came over. He was really calm and reassuring.

"We went our separate ways but I'm glad I managed to track him down. Teenagers get a really bad press these days and it's nice to see something positive."

Rhys was given the headteacher's award for his actions and it looks as though that won't be the only gift he'll be receiving.

Nicola added: "What can you say or give to someone who has saved your life? My husband is a driving instructor and we've told Rhys that when he turns 17 he can have as many lessons as he wants for free."

Mr Herlihy also paid tribute to the pupil's actions.

He said: "Rhys is a credit to the school and to his family. His urge to help was borne out of a sense of citizenship and was also a product of his first aid training which he has done through his rugby club."