A NORTH YORKSHIRE teenager who saved his father's life by using his Scout medical training has been commended for his actions.

Sam Ackerley, 15, used resuscitation techniques when his father, John, collapsed at the family home in Bewerly Road, Harrogate, last month.

Harrogate paramedic Steve Perkins and emergency medical technician Avril Richardson, who attended the incident, said Mr Ackerley would have died had it not been for the actions of his courageous son.

When Mr Ackerley collapsed, his wife, Val, dialed 999 and Sam began cardio pulmonary and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation while his 13-year-old brother, Will, waited for the ambulance.

Sam, a pupil at Harrogate Grammar School, said: "I tipped Dad's head back to clear his airway and, when I couldn't find a pulse, I started the resuscitation.

"He started making a gurgling noise, but would then stop so I would restart the resuscitation. He did that three or four times. I don't know what was going through my mind - nothing apart from keeping him alive."

Mr Ackerley, who works at Exel Tank Freight, in Harrogate, said: "What Sam and the ambulance crew did was marvellous, I can't thank them enough.

"I gave Sam a big hug in hospital and said if it had not been for him I wouldn't have survived."

Sam was presented with a shield and certificate by the Tees East and North Yorkshire Ambulance service yesterday.

Updated: 11:01 Thursday, May 01, 2003