A WOMAN has died after choking during a boiled egg eating contest at a Grimsby pub.
Today, her only daughter has called on more people to learn basic first aid, in the hope it will prevent similar incidents in the future.
Sharon Dixon, 54 – who ironically did not even like eggs – was taking part in the Easter fun and games at the Wellington Arms, on Freeman Street, when she began to choke.
Her worried friends and bar staff dialled 999 shortly after 2pm on Bank Holiday Monday, after the popular local character began to turn blue.
Ambulance crews were on the scene within four minutes, giving those trying to help Mrs Dixon step-by-step instructions on how to administer CPR while they were en-route.
However, while the paramedics, her friends and bar staff did all they could to revive her, she sadly died in hospital two days later.
Her daughter, Toni Dixon, said: "I have seen CCTV footage of what happened and it's clear her friends and everyone there did all they could to help mum. She was surrounded by her friends.
"I do think more people should learn first aid though.
"If more people have this knowledge, it may stop incidents like this from happening in the future."
Mrs Dixon's friends have also paid tribute to Mrs Dixon, who was described as being "full of life" despite suffering from a muscle wasting disease.
Jackie Cook, who had known Sharon for more than 20 years, said: "She would do anything for anybody. She was very strong willed and always there for anybody that needed help.
"All her life she was happy and full of life, she was up for anything.
"Everybody knew her and she knew everybody.
"We all called her Big Shaz. We all loved her, we are all one big family down here and she was a major part of that family.
"She used to be landlady for many pubs and even then she would do the rounds and go in every pub to see everyone.
"She would start at one end of Freeman Street and would go in every pub.
"I knew her for more than 20 years, I worked with her and I lived with her at one point.
She always wanted to be there. She would help everybody and anybody.
"Everyone who knew her had a different story to tell. She was just a really good person."
Graham, a member of staff at the White Bear said: "We all knew her. She was very strong willed. "She had become quite ill but she never showed it. "She was always up for a laugh and was there for anybody. She even offered to take my kids on holiday. "She was a real character of Freeman Street and she will be missed." A close friend, who didn't wish to be named said: "Sharon was a lovely woman. Nobody would have a bad word to say about her. We were very close. "Everybody will have a story to tell about her. She was full of life.Steve Pratten, operational support manager for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "If a person is choking immediate action must be taken to clear a blocked airway, 999 should be called if you are not sure what to do or require medical intervention."
He also gave the following tips on what to do if an adult or child over the age of one is choking:
Stand slightly behind the person to one side. If you're right-handed, stand to the left. If you're left-handed, stand to the right.
Support their chest with one hand. Lean the person forward so that the object blocking their airway will come out of their mouth, rather than going further down.
Give up to five sharp blows between the person's shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. (The heel is between the palm of your hand and your wrist).
Stop after each blow to check if the blockage has cleared.
If not, give up to five abdominal thrusts, again, stopping after each thrust to check if the blockage has cleared.
If the person's airway is still blocked after three cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts, you should either send someone to call 999 or, if you are on your own, call the ambulance yourself.
While you are waiting, continue with the cycles of back blows and abdominal thrusts until help arrives. If you have any doubt that the person is breathing normally and you have been trained to do so, you should begin external chest compressions and rescue breaths. Together these are called cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Mrs Dixon's funeral was being held today from 9am at Grimsby Crematorium, followed by a wake at Cottees Bar, on Freeman Street.
Full advice can be obtained from www.nhs.ukEditor's Comment THE importance of learning vital skills that could save lives is highlighted today when we read the tragic story of Sharon Dixon. It may be that Sharon's sad death was unavoidable. However what it has done is to remind people of the vital minutes a person has if an accident does occur. Sharon's family are certainly not saying that she would still be alive if anyone had done more – it was a dreadful accident. But they are wanting to raise awareness of the need for more people to be confident in the administration of first aid, which could indeed save other lives. If you listen to any of the medical experts, the minutes directly after an incident are the most important. Pay tribute to Sharon – leave your comments below Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor
