Schoolgirl rewarded for rescuing friend after serious fall (From Enfield Independent)

Schoolgirl Yasemin Cinko rewarded for rescuing friend after serious iceskating fall

11:05am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News By Hermione Wright

A student has been rewarded at school for rescuing her friend when she suffered a serious fall.

Yasemin Cinko, 14, was enjoying an iceskating disco one evening with a group of school friends when one of her friends tripped as she skated towards her.

Her friend lost balance and collapsed on the floor, leaving her unconscious with a broken ankle and concussion.

Miss Cinko, of Wetherby Road, has trained at Enfield School of Lifesaving in Southgate for more than two years and quickly sprang into action.

She called an ambulance before removing her friend’s iceskates and applying pressure to her head to stop the bleeding.

The Chase Community School pupil said: “I was a little bit panicky at first but on the course, I learnt how to save someone in a crisis.

“I am not sure what I want to do when I am older but I think lifesaving is really good because it means you are a bit safer.”

The girl, who needed several stitches in her head, spent a night in Chase Farm Hospital. Despite being left with a scar, she has made a full recovery.  

The London Ambulance Service called Miss Cinko’s school after the accident to congratulate her for acting quickly and responsibly.

Her teacher presented her with a box of chocolates and a poster of her idol Marilyn Monroe as a reward for her actions. 

Her mother Eileen is “extremely proud” of her daughter's actions, and said the situation could have been a lot worse if she had not reacted so quickly.

She said: “It was very scary because the little girl was concussed and if Yasemin hadn’t acted when she did, it could have been worse.

“She did fantastically well and I am really encouraged that she had learnt so much.”

The school girl, who has completed her bronze and silver medallion, is a about to embark on her gold medallion – the highest lifesaving qualification.

Allan Ianstein, course coordinator at Enfield School of Lifesaving, said he is “very pleased” that Miss Cinko was able to put her skills into good practise.