PC uses overdose reversing spray to save man's life

A police officer has saved a man's life by using medical nasal spray designed to revive people who have suffered drugs overdoses.

PC Jamie O'Sullivan discovered the man having a cardiac arrest in Northall Street, Kettering, Northamptonshire, on 10 January.

The officer gave him naloxone, which reverses the effects of opiates and opioids, such as heroin, on the central nervous and respiratory systems.

Det Supt Steve Watkins said: "Naloxone saved this man's life last week and I would like to thank PC O'Sullivan for his quick thinking in deploying it."

Neighbourhood officers across the county have been trained on using the spray, which stops a drug from affecting the body and buys time to keep the person alive until paramedics arrive.

When O'Sullivan used the spray, the man came round within 10 seconds and was taken to hospital.

Watkins said: "This is a fantastic example of why naloxone is such an important part of a police officer's kit, and why neighbourhood officers across the county have been trained to carry it."

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.