Radford honoured for heroic actions

• James Radford will receive the Victor Chang Heart of Gold Award for his efforts in trying to save his father Wayne Radford’s life.

It was a typical Saturday morning three years ago when Derby father and son, Wayne and James Radford headed off for a morning of woodcutting in bushland just outside Pioneer.
Nearing the completion of the trip Wayne told his son that he wasn’t feeling too well, collapsing soon after.
14-year-old James placed his father into the recovery position and began performing CPR when he stopped breathing.
James made contact with his mother Trish Radford who called the ambulance.
James had learnt CPR a few months before as a Grade 9 student at Winnaleah District High School.
After calling for an ambulance, Trish rushed from Derby to Garibaldi Road.
James continued to apply CPR for the duration of their journey and was assisted by his mother when she arrived at the scene.
“It took some time for the ambulance to arrive given we were in an isolated area,” Trish said.
“Sadly, we were told that Wayne had passed despite James’s courageous effort to save him.”
“Family friends Dale and Katrina Lester stayed with us out there throughout the day while the report was done for the coroner.”
After hearing about the Victor Chang Heart of Gold Award, James’s former teacher Michelle Shaw approached the family about nominating him for an award.
“It was important to allow the family time to come to terms with their tragic loss, but it was always at the back of my mind that James’s actions were heroic in extremely extenuating circumstances,” Mrs Shaw said.
 “The award was named in honour of legendary heart surgeon Dr Victor Chang who lost his life under tragic circumstances.
“It is given to community people who go above and beyond to assist someone in cardiac peril and who show strength and composure in times of grief,” she added.
James was deemed to be a worthy recipient and met all the criteria.
His family was delighted to learn recently that his nomination was successful.
Early 2020 James and his family members will travel to Sydney to receive the award alongside other national recipients.