Manchester student saves grandmother from killer gas leak

Pauline started to feel better almost immediately, and the pair now want to highlight the potential dangers of CO leaks because, without the alarm, Pauline said she might not be here today.

“If she hadn’t gone to the Crucial Crew’s workshop, and she hadn’t received the alarm and hadn’t given it to me, then who knows?” Pauline said.

Crucial Crew is an event led by emergency services agencies across Greater Manchester to teach children safety advice.

CO is a poisonous gas that poses a serious health threat if exposure occurs and cannot be detected by smell, taste or sight.

According to Cadent, each year there are around 40 deaths in England and Wales from CO poisoning.

Pauline urged everyone, especially those who are older or live alone, to ensure they have alarms installed and monitor any unusual symptoms.

She said: “I know they say it’s the silent killer… but people don’t tend to think about carbon monoxide.

“For people my age, if you’ve had dizziness, don’t assume it’s just old age.”

Asked how Connie felt after “saving her Nanna’s life”, she said “heroic” and “tremendous”.

She added: “Don’t hope it won’t happen to you, because it might.”