FIVE youngsters who swooped in to help a stranger in need of medical attention have been praised by their local councillor for their quick action.

As reported, on the evening of Sunday, May 8, police officers on patrol said they were flagged down by a group of young people on The Marsh Playing Fields in Weymouth to a man who needed urgent medical attention.

The group of youths were said to have given first aid and stayed with the man, who was not known to them, for 'well over an hour' as they waited for an ambulance to arrive.

On hearing about the incident, town councillor for the Westham East ward, Alex Fuhrmann, sought out to look for the young people to reward them for their selfless and swift action.

Dorset Echo: The Marsh, Weymouth. Picture: Weymouth & Portland PoliceThe Marsh, Weymouth. Picture: Weymouth & Portland Police

The councillor was able to get in touch with the parents of the five young people - Cole Howe, 15, Jack Parker-Coates, 16, Ethan Parker-Coates, 12, Owen Davis, 12, and Charlie Brindley, 16 - and with the help of two local businesses, the councillor gave all a small gift.

Cllr Fuhrmann, along with Cllr Ryan Hope, met with some of the boys at The Marsh to personally thank them and give them a free swimming pool pass from Everyone Active and a voucher for a free meal at McDonald's.

On the incident itself, Cole said that he was skating with friends and was just about to leave when some younger people pointed out a man who was sat down nearby, with his dog, hunched over. Cole said that when they went closer he saw that the man was unwell and when they tried asking for his name his speech was mumbled and so they called the ambulance.

He said a number of people came to check to see what was happening and offer help and that the five boys waited with the stranger until the ambulance arrived to make sure he was alright.

Cole said he was grateful for the local praise and recognition as sometimes the skateboarding community can get a bad reputation.

Cllr Fuhrmann said: "We are just over the moon, it's great to see teenagers taking an active role and looking out for people in the community."

He said the stranger who needed help has since been discharged from hospital.

Cllr Hope said: "It's great that Alex took the initiative to make sure that these youngsters got some recognition."

The councillors said, that following on from this incident, they have aspirations to organise a free first aid course at the skatepark.

On the night, a spokesman for Weymouth & Portland Police said: "Many thanks to the group of five young people who provided first aid to a male on The Marsh Playing Fields this evening. The group stayed with the male until ambulance arrived, well over an hour later.

"Neighbourhood Officers on patrol were flagged down by the group to provide extra help and support.

"The Neighbourhood Policing Team will follow this up with thank you letters to highlight their great community spirit."