Women’s rugby team used boot laces as tourniquets to save four from car crash
The team constructed a ‘makeshift tourniquet from their rugby boot laces’ to save the passengers’ lives
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A women’s rugby team has been praised after its members used “boot laces as tourniquets” to save four people from a car crash they witnessed.
The Women’s Trowbridge Rugby Team were completing their regular training in a field opposite when they heard the collision on Wednesday (8 August) evening.
Rushing to the scene to investigate, they found a vehicle turned on its side which had been carrying four people – two of which were just 16. Two had already managed to escape the scene, but the driver and front passenger were still trapped inside.
With varying injuries, some of which were life-threatening, the team organised en masse to help in a decision that “undoubtedly saved lives.”
Organising the fifteen to twenty-strong team, the players mobilised to “triage the casualties”, constructing a “makeshift tourniquet from their rugby boot laces and players’ shirts” to treat a “catastrophic” bleed one of the passengers had to the arm.
Helen Skelton shows women can’t ‘have it all’ – and we never will
Rugby World Cup 2023 squad guide: Players, fixtures and more
Jack van Poortvliet ruled out of World Cup as England call up Alex Mitchell- Helen Skelton quits Radio 5 Live show to spend more time with her children
Huw Jones says Scotland ‘think we can beat anyone’ at Rugby World Cup
Elsewhere, the players supported the heads of two other casualties in case of spinal injuries, using foot mats, pieces of carpet and a duvet to support the passengers and keep them away from the cold ground.
When the emergency services arrived, they were directed to the scene by spotters placed on the main road by the group and assisted in treating the passengers, “holding IV lines, torches and continuing their reassurance to the casualties.”
“Without their assistance this could have very easily been fatal. It was a fantastic effort by this rugby team in assisting”, Trowbridge Police said.
“It was humbling seeing members of public coming together in order to help out fellow citizens.”
Meanwhile, Trowbridge Senior Ladies praised the group for their bravery, labelling them “heroes.”
“They climbed over a barbed wire fence and crawled through bushes of stinging nettles to provide lifesaving first aid to the people in the car”, a statement posted to the club’s Instagram page read.
“The team wishes all four people a speedy recovery!
“To the women involved = the bravery and teamwork you showed was amazing. Not all heroes wear capes. They also wear rugby shirts.”
England Rugby also praised the team for their efforts, labelling it “incredible.” “Everyone at England Rugby wishes those injured a speedy recovery”, their official account commented, with rugby teams from Bath, Avonmouth, Bournemouth and Cardiff joining in commendation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments