A HERO firefighter saved a little girl’s life after she began choking on an ice lolly while on holiday.

Adam Tormey, a firefighter who works at Farnworth Community Fire Station, was on holiday in Cornwall, on June 21 when the youngster started to choke.

He was able to put his training from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, into action at Flambards Theme Park in Helston.

Mr Tormey, who became a firefighter in 2015, said: “We had just had lunch and I was walking towards the rides with my four- year-old son, with my wife and daughter following about 50 metres behind.

“I heard my wife shout my name so I called back. A few moments later she shouted again and I heard her say ‘child choking’.

“I ran towards her and as I turned the corner a man pretty much threw his daughter, who I think was around three of four-years-old, into my arms.

“I had a quick look at her face - her lips were blue and her eyes were rolling back in her head. Her body was limp and she wasn’t breathing.”

Mr Tormey asked someone to call an ambulance while he started to carry out his first aid training on the child.

He added: “I turned her body to face the floor, started giving her back-slaps between the shoulder blades.

“On my fourth attempt I could see I was getting some results as she started to bring up some of the blockage onto the floor, so I decided to carry on with back-slaps rather than switch to abdominal thrusts. “After a few more back-slaps a huge chunk of ice lolly came up and went on my feet. She started gasping for air and crying, which was a good sign.

“I set her back on the floor and held her steady for a moment, she seemed dazed but her colour was returning.

“Both parents were a bit shook up by the whole thing, but the girl was looking much better and everything was beginning to calm down.”

Mr Tormey said that the training and experiences gained through working at GMFRS, in both his previous prevention role and his current role of firefighter, helped him to deal with the incident.

He added: “The training and experience I have received through the fire service definitely helped me with dealing with the little girl choking.

“When I worked in prevention I trained as a Heartstart instructor in 2012, and have taught basic life support regularly since then.

“In 2015 I became a firefighter, when we received two weeks trauma training - which is maintained through regular watch based training and attendance at incidents.

“I am currently waiting on a trauma technician course as this is an aspect of the role I have a keen interest in, which my watch manager has been happy to support.”

David Acton, chairman of the Fire Committee, said: “Clearly Adam did a tremendous job to save the little girl’s life and I pay tribute to him.

“It is great to hear that the training provided by GMFRS helps its staff members to have the skills and the confidence to deal with this kind of situation, which many would be daunted by, both inside and outside of work.”