A SHARP-EYED newspaper delivery boy was instrumental in the rescue of an elderly man, who had fallen and collapsed in the hallway of his house in Guisborough.

Luke Hester, 14, delivers papers for the One Stop Newsagents shop on Westgate, Guisborough, and in July, was on his early morning round in the town’s Rievaulx Way.

Delivering a newspaper to one house, he looked through the glass panel in the front door and saw the occupant, an elderly man, laid in the hallway with his arm covered in blood.

Luke went to neighbours to enquire if anyone had a key for the premises but was unsuccessful. He telephoned his mother to ask for guidance and then an ambulance and the police were called.

The ambulance crew climbed over a fence at the back and gained access through the back door. The man had apparently fallen down the stairs and sustained a head injury.

He was taken to hospital and has since recovered.

Luke said: “I could see that it looked like blood on his arm so I called my Mum who said to go back down, ring for an ambulance and wait there.

"I called some of the neighbours to see if anyone had a key. One had an old key but none had a key to get in. I was shaking a bit. The ambulance came and they got in through the back door after climbing over the fence.”

Since then, Luke has received a card from the man with a £5 note in it.

He has also received a personal letter from the Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, Richard Lewis, which read: “The officer who attended to support other emergency services was extremely impressed with how you dealt with the whole situation, which may have been quite upsetting or concerning for you.

" I understand your swift action ensured the person received prompt help and if you had not been so attentive and observant, there may well have been a different result. I am sure your family are proud of you.

“Well done and keep that great community spirit going.”

Mum Amanda Hester said:“I’m proud of him and how he dealt with it.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated Teesside Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054