All better now. Left to right, Paramedic Mark Mapp with the Langmead family Shakira, Paul, Leha and Debbie and St John officer Dean de la Mare. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0630971)

WHEN a toddler went into convulsions in Herm, the Flying Christine III was called to rush her to hospital. Two-year-old Shakira Langmead suddenly became ill during a family holiday in the island.

‘It was our first time taking the children camping,’ said her father, Paul. ‘We had been enjoying ourselves on the beach and playing games.’

The Langmead family, including mum Debbie, Shakira and sister Leah, 6, went to Herm for a long weekend break.

There were no signs that Shakira was unwell until the Saturday, 23 August. The family had just finished supper at the Mermaid Tavern when Mrs Langmead noticed Shakira felt hot. ‘There was just no indications of sickness until then,’ said Mrs Langmead.

With Shakira’s condition worsening, the family planned to return to the tent where they had medicine. Luckily, James Cordingly, who has had St John Ambulance first-aid training, was at the pub having dinner at the time.

‘I was in the right place at the right time,’ said Mr Cordingly, who also works as a gardener in the island.