Dad feared son could die in strap accident

Dad Robert Lakin said he was driving home from a trip to the supermarket when his seven-year-old son Caleb picked up a plastic strap from the floor of the car and wrapped it tightly round his neck and started choking.

In a panic, Robert screeched the car to a halt but could not free the strap from his son's neck - until a Good Samaritan motorist stopped to help and managed to cut the boy free.

Now Robert, of Rudyard Road, Hillsborough, would like to say thank you to the man he believes saved Caleb's life.

Robert, aged 33, said: "I don't know who this man is.

"I hugged him and shook his hand after he cut the strap from Caleb's neck but I was in such a state I didn't think to ask his name."

The drama started as Robert drove along Albert Terrace Road at Upperthorpe.

He said: "Caleb found a plastic tie strap on the floor of the car - I didn't even know it was there - and pulled it tight round his neck.

"The first thing I knew about it was when he said 'Dad, can you get this off me?' I looked round and he was starting to choke.

Are

you the Good Samaritan who helped Robert and Caleb - or do you know who did? Contact The Star's newsdesk on 0114 252 1346.