Real-life street drama for plucky acting students

FIVE young friends making their way home from a cancelled acting class have found real-life drama on the street.

The group of Cefn Hengoed pupils ended up helping a 56-year-old man, gasping for breath and begging for help, as they waited for a bus to take them to their Port Tennant homes.

The youngsters, who suspected the man was having a heart attack, immediately called an ambulance and waited with him until help arrived.

Close chums Rhys Rosser, Will Thomas, Keaton John, Keelie Cook and Mitchell Mainwaring have now been praised by their families and their school.

Race & Stay with Stradey Park Hotel and Ffos Las Racecourse

Stradey Park Hotel

View details

Print voucher

Inc. transport to and from the races, entrance to Ffos Las, free programme, pint/glass of wine & carvery roll, overnight stay in the hotel inc. breakfast in the morning. For just £112.99 fro 2 adults

Terms: Subject to T&C. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Subject to availability, ask at time of booking. Based on two people sharing a double/twin room.

Contact: 01554 700277

Valid until: Monday, March 31 2014

Marisa Rosser, mother of Rhys, said: "They thought they had a drama club after school but it was either cancelled or they had got the date wrong.

"They were walking down to the bus stop when a gentleman came up to them and asked them to call him an ambulance.

"They realised the situation was quite serious and that they were going to have to stay with this man.

"A bus arrived but they waved it on and stayed until an ambulance arrived.

"I think what they did was really commendable, especially when you consider they are a group of 11- year-olds."

One of the five friends, Rhys Rosser, said: "We thought he was ill because he was walking funny and gasping for breath.

"He held his phone out and asked us to call for an ambulance. My friend Will called and we waited with him.

Our bus came but we didn't get on because we didn't want him to be alone.

"When the ambulance turned up they said thanks and we caught the next bus home.

"People have said that we are heroes but we didn't really think about it. We just helped him because we didn't want him to die, it sounded like he was having a heart attack.

"We would like to know how he is."

Mitchell Mainwaring added: "Our drama class was cancelled but we found drama out on the street. I don't feel like a hero, just someone who has done a good thing."

The pupils head of year at Cefn Hengoed, Carole Wooldridge, said: "Today we hear such a lot of bad things about youngsters so it's nice to praise these children.

"They are only young and new to the school yet showed such initiative and calmness in an emergency to call for an ambulance.

"And then, despite the rain, they waited with the gentleman until the ambulance arrived.

"I think they did jolly well. We are all proud of them."

A spokeswoman for the Welsh Ambulance Service confirmed that they had attended the scene in Caernarvon Way in Bonymaen, on Tuesday, to help an unnamed 56-year-old man, just after 3.30pm.

His condition is not currently known.