AN early morning run with her dogs ended in a life-and-death drama for a South Lakeland woman.

Sara Benbow, 51, of Cairns Barn, Hayfellside, Hay Close Lane, Old Hutton, had taken her dogs for a run round Kendal Castle in August last year when she spotted 62-year-old William Smith Hogg lying face down on the ground.

When she shouted at Mr Hogg, of Sandylands, Kendal, to see if he was alright he groaned but did not move. Sara immediately called the emergency services and then went to his aid. But as she turned him on his back she realised he had stopped breathing and had no pulse.

She immediately began administering cardiac pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) but because of the slope Mr Hogg was on she was unable to kneel down to administer it. Instead she had to carry out the exhausting procedure for 20 minutes from a standing position and at the same time remained on the phone to the ambulance service.

On top of that she was also attempting to keep control of her own dogs and one belonging to Mr Hogg. Despite the difficulties though, by the time paramedics arrived she had managed to restore Mr Hogg's pulse.

Paramedics, police and a mountain rescue team then took over and after an hour Mr Hogg was breathing by himself again and then regained consciousness. Sadly, however, he died later in hospital.

Now Sara has been awarded a Royal Humane Society Resuscitation Certificate for her fight to save his life.

Speaking at the society’s London headquarters as he announced the award its secretary, Andrew Chapman, said : “In the best of conditions administering CPR is an exhausting procedure. These were far from the best of conditions.

“They were on a steep slope where Sara could not position herself properly and had to remain standing as she kept the procedure up for a gruelling 20 minutes. And as well as that she was trying to keep an eye on the dogs.

“It was a heroic effort and she was rewarded by knowing she had brought him back to life, seeing him conscious again and knowing she had given him the best possible chance of survival. Sadly he died later in hospital but thanks to Sara there was a last chance for him to be alive and with his family at the hospital.

“This is another case which illustrates the value of as many people as possible getting to grips with life-saving techniques such as CPR.

“No-one who has learned it really wants to have to use it but it can make the difference between life and death.”

No date has yet been fixed for presentation of the award which follows a recommendation from Cumbria Police but it is expected to take place in the near future.