QUICK-thinking Katie Johnson is being hailed a heroine after coming to the aid of a man who collapsed and was found unconscious on the ground in the freezing cold.

It happened while the 16-year-old was on a break with her mother Julie near Koblenz, in Germany, last weekend.

The pair, who live in Stone Street, Crowfield, were out walking when their heard a woman shouting hysterically in German.

Mrs Johnson said: “I was totally lost and didn’t know what she was saying but Katie had already crossed the road and disappeared around the corner.

“When I got there I found Katie crouched next to an elderly man who was unconscious on the floor. She was on the phone to the emergency service telling them in German she had assessed the situation and he looked as though he was fitting or having a stroke.

“She made him comfortable and safe, not allowing anyone to move him. By now people had gathered and someone gave a blanket which she used to wrap and keep the man warm. Within minutes the air ambulance had arrived and the man was taken to hospital.

“The poor man’s wife managed to thank Katie before she left. I was so overwhelmed because she acted instinctively. She also called 112 and spoke German. I am so proud of her.”

The amazing teenager, a pupil at Debenham High School, has wanted to be a doctor from the age of five, has taught herself German, Danish and Russian, and is studying history, geography, French, RE and triple science. She also spends every other weekend working with disabled children.

Modest Katie said: “I just acted instinctively really and the emergency serves were very good.”

And Julia Upton, headteacher at the school, also praised Katie, saying: “She is a fantastic student, hard working and a credit to us all. We are very proud of the way she conducted herself and acted so calmly.”