A teenage hero today (Monday) put his recent first aid training into practice when he saw a pensioner collapse and smash her head in a Hornchurch street.

Albany School pupil James Sheridan tended the woman’s injury for around an hour while he waited for an ambulance to arrive at Adelphi Crescent, just after 9am.

A passing motorist had thrown the 15-year-old a bandage but did not stop to help, he said, while another man refused to assists because he had to get to work.

“At first the woman was a bit dazed,” said James. “I was chatting to her and I told her my name, but she wasn’t saying much and the back of her head was bleeding.”

He added: “She said thank you to me for spending time with her and helping her. I don’t think I’ve done anything special, it was decent human kindness.”

James has just completed a Havering Heartstart First Aid training course as part of his Year 11 sports leaders’ course.

He rushed to get help from his trainer.Anneliese Attack at the school in nearby Broadstone Road.

The pair, along with neighbours, comforted the woman – believed to be in her 80s - until paramedics arrived.

Anneliese said: “People think when you see kids in school uniform they’re trouble, but this shows different. James was the one helping her when no one else was, and he comforted her, stayed with her and talked to her.”

PE teacher Lisa Wilson, who organised the leaders’ course, said: “I am proud of James. It makes it so worthwhile when we learn that students are able to do the right thing in an emergency.”

London Ambulance Service (LAS) crews treated the victim at the scene, a spokesman said, but she was not taken to hospital.