Quick-thinking shoppers and staff rush to help woman after sudden medical emergency

A routine shopping trip in Ashton’s M&S turned into a terrifying ordeal when Elaine Oliver suddenly began bleeding heavily after a vein burst in her leg, but thanks to the swift actions of staff, shoppers, and a retired nurse, she received vital first aid before paramedics arrived.

The drama unfolded when Elaine, who suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, was out shopping with her daughter. Her daughter, Sarah, described how her mum suddenly complained of severe pain in her left leg and said she couldn’t move.

“I rang my daughter-in-law Nicola, who was upstairs with my grandchildren, to ask her to come and wait with my mum while I went to get her wheelchair from the car,” she said. “While I was on the phone, I heard a pop, it sounded a bit like a water bomb, and when I looked down, there was a pool of blood on the floor. I just panicked and started shouting for help.”

Within moments, M&S staff rushed to assist. One member of staff fetched a stool to help the woman sit down, while another ran to call for emergency services. Out of nowhere, a customer who identified herself as a retired nurse, AnnMarie, stepped in and began administering first aid.

“She was amazing,” said Sarah. “She took control straight away, kept pressure on the wound, and told the staff what she needed. They grabbed T-shirts from the rails to help her stop the bleeding. She looked after my mum and calmed me down at the same time. I can’t thank her enough.”

The store team quickly coordinated their response. Staff members helped keep the area clear, shielded the woman’s grandchildren from seeing what was happening, and provided bottles of water to the distressed family.

“One lady, I think her name was Jayne, stood behind my mum so she could lean back on the stool,” Sarah recalled. “Another staff member made sure no one was staring, and Will stayed by my mum’s side until the ambulance arrived. They were all absolutely fantastic.”

Paramedics soon arrived and took the woman to hospital, where doctors confirmed that a varicose vein had burst, a condition that can cause sudden and severe bleeding.

“It was the first time my mum had been out in over four weeks because she’d been so poorly,” she added. “I’m just so grateful for everyone who helped, especially AnnMarie and all the M&S staff. Without them, things could have been much worse.”