Customers children thank Asda Westbrook driver Joe for raising alarm after dad fell downstairs

Nineteen-year-old home delivery driver Joe Wilby from the Asda Westbrook store in Warrington came to the rescue when he found 81-year-old customer Thomas Ralston had fallen down the stairs and needed urgent help.

Joe said: "I just sensed something wasn't right when I didn't get an answer when I knocked as I knew there was an elderly couple in the house. I had a gut feeling to be honest that something was wrong.

"I phoned the contact number on the delivery notes and spoke to the customer's son, Julian, and then got a neighbour.

"We opened the front door and found Thomas at the bottom of the stairs by the front door. He was conscious and responsive, but a bit shook up. I then called 999 for an ambulance.

"I put a blanket on him to keep warm and kept checking on him and chatting to him to see if he needed anything while we waited for paramedic and carers to arrive, which was only about ten minutes.

"Thomas's wife, who I believe had Alzheimer's, wasn't able to get up, but I kept her in the loop and told her what was going on."

Thomas is recovering well and is now out of hospital after being treated for cuts and bruises.

Joe said: "I'm just glad he's doing well. I hope that most of the people I know would have done the same thing. I just did what I thought was right."

Thomas's daughter, Amanda, later contacted the store to thank Joe and said he "deserved a medal".

She said: "His help was invaluable that day. The world is a better place because of people like this. Also a thank you to his manager who gave him the okay to stay with him."

Thomas's son, Julian, said his father might not be alive today if it wasn't for Joe. He said: "Joe was fantastic and I believe he saved my dad's life. I am truly blown away by his concern. I live more than three hours away so he kept updating me by phone. His main focus was the safeguarding of my parents.

"He stayed with my dad until a neighbour I had contacted could sit with my mum once the ambulance took my dad to hospital as my mum suffers with Alzheimer's.

"Joe's been asking for updates on my dad after the event for his own peace of mind, which shows what a remarkable individual he is. I really can't thank him enough."

The store's online trading manager Connor Naden, who has nominated Joe for an Asda service superstar award, said: "We are all so proud of Joe. He's a really nice guy, helpful and down to earth."