By Jonny Irving

Last updated at 11:46, Saturday, 02 March 2013

A Carlisle girl turned her normal journey to school into a real life Good Samaritan story.

Portia Marley

Portia Marley, 15, a year ten pupil at Newman School was a passenger on the number 67 bus on Thursday on her journey to the Lismore Place school.

As the bus turned the corner by the Market Hall the driver noticed a man collapsed on the side of the road.

The driver stopped the bus and asked if anyone on board had first aid skills to assist the man.

Portia, from the Raffles area of the city, stepped forward to help.

She said: “I volunteered to help the man because, if I was hurt, I would like to think that someone would help me.

“People were surrounding him and I wouldn’t like to have left the person in case something serious happened.

“He said he had something wrong with his legs so I didn’t move him; I made him feel as comfortable as possible and used my school blazer to keep him warm.”

Portia learned her first aid skills at the Army Cadets where she is a member and attends the group twice a week. They have learned a variety of skills including community work and Army training.

Another member of the public called an ambulance.

Colin Munro, who is head of year at Portia’s school, said: “We were really delighted to hear about Portia’s good deed.

“We always encourage our students to help others in the community. So to see her help out in this way is brilliant, we are really proud of her.”

Amanda Henry, a reception teacher at Upperby Primary School in Carlisle, was on her way to work when she saw the incident.

She said: “I thought Portia was so brave. It was such a brave thing to do, to react in the way she did in that situation.”

She added: “At her age it shows such strength of character.”

First published at 11:19, Saturday, 02 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk