According to the comic books, a superhero is a character with extraordinary powers defined by unique capabilities, such as flight, strength, speed or invincibility…

Well Darren Mycroft has none of those skills, (well none that he knows of) but he is a superhero to Lynne Darrington who says he saved her life and she will be forever grateful.

So, what makes Darren, a porter at Tameside and Glossop Integrated Care NHS FT, so special? 

Lynne, 53, a phlebotomist and part-time bank porter, explained: “I was eating lunch in the porters’ cabin where Darren was sitting across the table. 

“A piece of apple got stuck in my throat and I tried to breath in twice and couldn’t. I tried to cough and couldn’t. I breathed in a third time and a high pitched wheeze noise came out and I looked at Darren. He asked was I okay and I shook my head in panic.”

Lynne continued: “It all happened so fast but by this time I was actually seeing stars. He jumped up and slapped me hard on the back.

“The apple came out and all was well again. 

“There was no one else in the room and I could not have called for help. If he hadn’t been there and if he hadn’t been so quick thinking, I really believe I would not be here today. He saved my life,” said the mum and grandmother, who lives in Oldham.

A modest Darren, 50, who lives in Denton and is married to Nicola, is keen to play it all down. He says he was just pleased that he was there when it mattered.

The dad-of-three and grandad of two says he completed a first aid course many years ago and it was pure instinct that made him act so quickly.

“I only did what anyone would have done. I was just in the right place at the right time,” he said.

Darren has now been presented with a ‘Who’s Your Hero’ award by Trust Chief Executive Karen James OBE, in recognition of his life-saving actions.

“Poor Lynne must have been terrified and it was lucky Darren was there,” she said.

“Darren’s cool head and quick thinking did most probably save Lynne’s life. We are fortunate to have Darren on the team.”

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