FOUR Denbighshire schoolgirls have been commended by the Welsh Ambulance Service for their handling of an injured elderly man.

Lexie Smith, Molly Evans, Jasmine Hughes and Grace Jones, who are Year 7 pupils at Ysgol Glan Clwyd in St Asaph, were enjoying a visit to Parc Prestatyn Shopping Park when they witnessed the man take a fall.

The quick-thinking youngsters dialled 999 and stayed with the man until the arrival of an ambulance, buying cushions with their own money from a nearby Marks & Spencer to keep him comfortable.

On Tuesday morning, the Welsh Ambulance Service’s Chief Executive Jason Killens surprised the girls in a school assembly by presenting them with commendations.

He said: “Witnessing someone who is ill or injured and in a lot of distress can be daunting enough for an adult, let alone a child. Lexie, Molly, Jasmine and Grace demonstrated kindness, courage and maturity in their actions, and they should be very proud of themselves.

“Often in times of emergency, we rely on ordinary members of the public to administer first aid and care until the arrival of an ambulance, and that’s exactly what these girls did.

“They’re a shining example of a good citizen, and on behalf of the Welsh Ambulance Service, we would like to extend a big thank you for their efforts.”

It was a Saturday afternoon when Lexie, 12, Molly, 11, Jasmine, 12, and Grace, 12, witnessed the man fall on the busy retail park. Molly said: “We went out for the day in Prestatyn, and we saw the man fall and injury himself quite badly.

“We called an ambulance and gave them all the details, like where we were and what was wrong with the man. We also went to get pillows and blankets to keep him warm while we waited for the ambulance.”

Staff at Marks & Spencer treated the girls to a hot chocolate while they waited for an ambulance.

Dewi Owen, Head of Year 7 at Ysgol Glan Clwyd, said: “Above all else, kindness is the greatest quality in a person. We're delighted the girls are being recognised. They have set a perfect example to all at Ysgol Glan Clwyd.”