Bin men praised for helping injured older woman

A waste collection crew has been praised for their efforts in helping an injured woman during their rounds.

The team was in Eyke, near Woodbridge in Suffolk, when they discovered the older woman who had suffered a serious head injury after falling on to the road outside her home in November.

Stephen Cane, the HGV driver and loader, said the crew acted "instinctively" to help her and administer first aid before paramedics arrived.

Cassandra Clements, managing director at East Suffolk Services which operates the waste collections, described the crew's actions as "heroic" and said she had been left "extremely proud".

As well as Mr Cane, the crew consisted of refuse loaders Aaron Braybrook and Robert Willis.

After discovering the woman, they positioned their bin lorry to protect her from traffic and when they learned the ambulance would be a four-hour wait, they identified her home, contacted a neighbour and ensured she was taken to safety.

"The lady was clearly in need of help, and we were prepared to do whatever we needed to do to ensure she was safe and received the care she needed," Mr Cane said.

"You'd like to think anyone would have done the same in our position."

Ms Clements added that the crew's "professionalism, quick-thinking and compassion highlights the vital role they play in our communities every day".

A passerby that day also wrote to East Suffolk Services and said they were a "shining example of the positive difference public services workers can make in their communities".

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.