A quick-thinking police officer who saved a baby’s life when he sprinted to hospital with him in his arms has been reunited with him for Christmas.

Wandsworth Times:

PC Steve Norton hands a gift to baby Harrison, with mum Jo 

Tiny Harrison Paine’s life hanged in the balance when he stopped breathing, just days after leaving hospital weighing 4lb.

His mum, Jo, found him unresponsive in the early hours of September 5, and immediately called 999 and started CPR.

Wandsworth response team officer PC Steve Norton arrived in a matter of minutes.

He realised Harrison needed immediate medical attention and made the split-second decision to dash 300 yards down the road, to St George’s accident and emergency, with little Harrison in his arms.

Ms Paine said: “My world crashed before my eyes the night I found my beautiful baby had stopped breathing.

“He hadn’t woken up for his feed, his skin had turned grey and his eyes were still. I immediately lay him on my bed and starting chest compressions and rescue breathing into his mouth and nose, just as I had been taught at hospital days before Harrison and I had been discharged.

“He responded and made a noise before he started to shallow breathe. PC Steve Norton arrived at my door and immediately handed Harrison over to him. I did this with complete trust and confidence. At that moment in time, I believed that he would do all he could to help my baby.”

The brave mum was able to say thank you to PC Norton who once again held Harrison, on December 8.

PC Norton said: “Seeing Harrison and Jo happy and well in the run up to Christmas has been the most worthwhile and heart-warming experiences of my career. I will never forget the moment Jo handed Harrison to me.

“I looked down at his face and it dawned on me that this could have easily been my baby who was a toddler at the time.

Wandsworth Times:

PC Norton got to hold baby Harrison again 

He added: “I knew that every second was crucial to for this tiny baby who was not breathing properly. Jo was the one to initiate CPR and I have no doubt that her actions allowed me the time to get him to hospital.

"Sprinting with a fragile baby in heavy body armour was exhausting and stressful, but the moment I handed him to the medical professionals in the resuscitation room, I knew that I did absolutely everything I could for Harrison and Jo.”

Jo was taught baby CPR at St George's Hospital before Harrison was discharged. He was born three-months premature and spent the first month of his life in intensive care and on a ventilator.

He later developed severe reflux which caused sleep apnea.

Harrison is now a bouncing 9lb baby who loves food and cuddles. Ms Paine added: “Learning CPR is so important and I hope that every mum has the confidence and belief to carry out this important lifesaving action if it is ever needed.”

Wandsworth borough commander, Detective Chief Superintendant Richard Smith, described PC Norton’s actions as “outstanding”.