A Met Police officer has been awarded after his quick-thinking saved the life of an 11-year-old boy who suffered an epileptic fit on a bus is Gravesend.

Police sergeant Robert Jackson, from the Roads and Transport Policing Command, spoke of his relief after his first aid training saved the youngster.

The father of four was presented with a Royal Humane Society (RHS) Resuscitation Certificate by Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey and RHS Chairman John Grandy at a ceremony held at New Scotland Yard on Wednesday (May 13).

Upon receiving his award, sgt. Jackson, said: "Having four children myself, and two being of similar age, this was a horrible and frightening experience for me.

"At the time I honestly thought he was going to die as he was not breathing, his face was grey and his lips turned blue. After giving him two breaths, I was relieved that he started to breath, cough and cry.

"I have seen him and his mum on the bus a few times since and his mum always thanks me for helping her son."

In October 2013 sgt. Jackson was travelling on a bus to Gravesend station to catch a train into work.

When the bus stopped in Rochester Road the driver left his cab to speak with some children sat behind him.

Initially the officer thought the driver was berating the children, however he soon realised that the driver was concerned about one boy.

When he went to help sgt. Jackson saw a young boy aged around 11 slumped forward on his knees with his head on the floor. He was a dead weight and unconscious.

After laying him flat sgt. Jackson checked his airway and gave two rescue breaths.

The boy began breathing but it was laboured, at which point the officer moved him into the recovery position to free his blocked airway.

Sgt. Jackson stayed with the youngster and monitored his condition until a paramedic arrived.

That evening the officer spoke to the boy’s mother and she expressed her eternal gratitude to sgt. Jackson for saving his life.

It is believed that the boy may have suffered from some type of epileptic fit, an illness which had been undiagnosed until this time.

The boy was released from hospital the following day.