Off-duty officer saves man’s life

By Shaun Inguanzo
CHRIS Banks was moments away from dying at the scene of a head-on collision in Narre Warren in May when his saviour, Dandenong Senior Constable Trish Harris, passed by.
Shelly Banks-Biemans, Chris’ mum, says the off-duty police officer’s arrival turned a potentially horrific moment into a reason to celebrate when Sen Const Harris revived Chris on scene after he stopped breathing.
Sen Const Harris normally works at Dandenong Police Station with the sexual offences and child abuse unit, but on the night of 26 May, when Chris and several friends were involved in the collision, that role changed.
Ms Banks-Biemans said Sen Const Harris cleared Chris’ mouth and airway as he coughed up blood and then began to breathe once more.
She then stayed with the injured 20-year-old Cranbourne youth until emergency services arrived to take over.
Chris is recovering at the Victorian Rehabilitation Centre, and this week Ms Banks-Biemans arranged to publicly thank Sen Const Harris for her efforts.
“She saved Chris’ life, I love her, she is now my new best friend,” an elated Ms Banks-Biemans said.
On the night of the accident, Ms Banks-Biemans was supposed to be celebrating her birthday with family, but upon hearing of the accident, it became a memorable day for an almost tragic reason.
“Words can’t describe how our hearts fell when hearing the news, it was just horrible,” she said.
At this week’s meeting, Chris learnt for the first time that he was not breathing at the scene, and that Sen Const Harris saved his life.
Ms Banks-Biemans said her son was shocked, but “realised what a lucky boy he is”.
“We would like to say thank you, thank you, and thank you to Sen Const Harris,” Ms Banks-Biemans said.
“We bought her a big bunch of flowers for the meeting and the family and I are considering getting her a gift voucher because her new top was ruined at the scene of the accident.”