One of Abergavenny’s neighbourhood policing team has received a commendation for her role in saving the life of a middle-aged woman who suffered a heart attack while visiting a friend in the town.

It’s the third time that PCSO Amanda Jung has received a commendation for her handling of a similar situation - and five years since she won the title of Gwent PCSO of the Year.

The most recent incident came just days after the defibrillator in St John’s Square had been commissioned.

The 999 call from a house in Castle Street was received as Amanda was finishing a meal at the police station before going back on duty. All the other officers at the time were dealing with emergencies.

“We wouldn’t normally be first on scene in a situation like this but because it was so local and I knew where the defibrillator was I said I would go,” she said.

“It was a gorgeous evening and the tables outside The Kings Arms were packed. I realised I was going to be the only person at the scene so I shouted out for help as I went to collect the defibrillator and one of the people there turned out to be a doctor. There was also an off-duty fire officer inside the pub, who joined us.

“The woman was in a very bad way, unconscious and with hardly any pulse. Fortunately I remembered my first aid training and the doctor’s ABC! Things just click into place in a situation like that.

“The latest defibrillators are easy to use - they ‘talk’ you through the actions required - but it’s still a very stressful situation. The experience doesn’t really affect you until a few days later, then you really feel it.

“We must have been working on her for ten minutes before the ambulance and some local officers arrived. It seemed like a lifetime. All the time I kept thinking ‘Wake up! Wake up!’

“Fortunately the paramedics were able to stabilise her and she was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital where she made a full recovery.

“Without getting instant help from us there is no doubt she would have died.”

Amanda’s actions were praised by the doctor and fire officer who helped her.

“It really means a lot to get that kind of recognition from another professional service,” she said.

It’s the second time Amanda has dealt with someone suffering a cardiac arrest in Abergavenny.

She was on duty in Cross Street with an officer dealing with a traffic offence when an elderly gentleman on a night out at The Swan suddenly collapsed.

Her quick response in getting a defibrillator to the scene saved his life.

Some years before, on daytime patrol near the bowling green in Caldicot, she was also first on scene when another elderly gentleman had a heart attack. He also lived to tell the tale. Amanda received a commendation in both cases.

Her latest award - for using her initiative and keeping calm and professional in a stressful situation - was presented at Newport Leisure Centre on Monday morning by Inspector Arwel Hicks and Superintendent Matt Williams.

• The Rotary Club of Abergavenny has fitted four lifesaving defibrillators throughout the town as part of the club’s ongoing ‘Well Being’ Initiative. They can be found at the corner of WH Smith and Cibi Walk, the Post Office building at St John’s Square, the Town Hall (in the archway entrance to the Market Hall) and outside the Citizens’ Advice Bureau in Cross Street.