WOODHEY High School pupil Rick Panter never thought he would have to draw on the first-aid skills he learned two years ago until he needed to save the life of a classmate.

The teenager rushed to help Year Nine pupil Ashleigh Hesketh-Hall who was in collision with a car after getting off the school bus to cross Brandlesholme Road, Bury.

He said: "Ashleigh was thrown into the air and onto the road.

"Everyone on the bus was shocked and stunned.

"I just ran off the bus.

"She was unconscious. I had to move her out of the road and then put her in the recovery position.

"I assisted her as well as I could until the ambulance arrived."

Ashleigh sustained serious head injuries and a broken foot but is now at home and expected to make a full recovery.

Rick (16) added: "It wasn't until afterwards I found out that I had saved her life.

" I never thought I would use the first-aid skills I had learnt, and now my mum wants me to take a more advanced first-aid course.

"It is so important that everyone learns basic first-aid."

Mr and Mrs Hesketh visited Rick in person to thank him.

Mrs Pam Burrow, deputy head, said: "We are very proud of Rick.

"He was very courageous.

"All the pupils are taught first-aid which is an important part of our curriculum and this incident has proved what an important skill it is."