A Samworth Church Academy student who came to the aid of Mansfield residents has been praised for his actions in helping an injured man.

James Singlehurst, 15, came to the rescue after the man fell in his garden and suffered a suspected broken hip.

Patricia Cowen, of Eakring Road, Mansfield, explained how she heard a strange noise coming from her neighbour’s garden when she returned home from shopping.

“I heard a very feeble voice and thought it might be my neighbour,” she said.

“I tried to see through and over the fence but couldn’t see anything, so called out and got a ‘help, help’ in return.”

It transpired that Patricia’s elderly neighbour, who wishes to remain anonymous, had fallen while sweeping and badly injured himself.

He was unable to get up and, after calling for an ambulance, Patricia realised the only way to get to her neighbour was over a high fence or over his locked gate.

Patricia, a retired lecturer from West Notts College, Mansfield, was unable to climb the fence or gate, but then she spotted student James walking along the road.

Patricia added: “I asked if he could help as a gentleman had fallen and we needed to get to him, and also we needed to open the gate for the ambulance.”

James, a year 10 student at the academy, managed to scale the fence, cover the injured man with a blanket and find a key to unlock the garden gate keys, as well as helping Patricia to pack a bag for the injured man to take to hospital.

“James remained by my side the whole time,” said Patricia. “He wouldn’t leave and eventually I said he had better call home to tell them where he was.”

The teenager, who wants to be an engineer when he leaves school, said he was pleased to help.

“I jumped over the fence and unlocked the gate for the ambulance,” he said.

“All I could think was to make the man as comfortable as possible and not let him become distressed.”

Patricia, who forgot to ask James’ surname but tracked him down by contacting the academy, added: “James was even able to help the ambulance people when they discovered the stretcher trolley was too big to get through the gate.

“James helped to push the trolley under the stretcher once they were through, then we locked the house and James locked the gate and jumped back over again to give the keys to the paramedics.

“His mum must be proud. I have grandsons and I know they would do the same. I rang the school because I know people can be quick to complain, but we should ring when young people do something good as well. He deserves praise and I gave him an Easter egg.”

Samworth Church Academy principal Lisa McVeigh said the whole academy was proud of James’ actions.

“James behaved in a way we hope all of our students would,” she added. “He typifies our school values and in particular for his respect, service and positivity.

“We send our thanks to Patricia for alerting us to James’ actions and dearly hope that the gentleman makes a full and swift recovery. Our best wishes go to everyone involved in helping to get him the help he needed.”