A Courier delivery boy has helped to save an elderly man who had fallen in his home.

William Allix, aged 13, was helping his brother Jack, 14, on his delivery round for Isle of Man Newspapers when he spotted the gentleman on the floor of his home.

The Ballakermeen High School student raised the alarm and an ambulance was called to come and help him.

Will’s mum Lorna Allix, who had the papers in her car, said: ’It was just so lucky that he was passing and was so observant.

’He does the round with his brother - it’s in his brother’s name but they do it together as it’s such a big round, the Union Mills one.

’We were in the middle of the round and he started shouting "Mum, Mum, Mum" and he was on the phone.

’I came over and he said "Look Mum there’s a chap on the floor there, we need to get an ambulance" and he rang the ambulance.

’Then because of all the noise that Will was making some neighbours came out and they were able then to go round the back of the property and get in because the front door was locked.

’They got in and then let me in and the chap said "I’ve been on the floor for about half an hour and then noticed you could see me".

’He didn’t seem like he was really very poorly, he just needed an ambulance to come and check him out and get him up again.’

Recalling the incident, Mrs Allix said: ’I’m so proud.

’It’s just so good that he was so observant and spotted him.

’It goes to show that the Courier is a community service still, isn’t it?

’We’ve lost meals on wheels, which was a great service for our elderly folk to have a daily contact.

’This weekly contact from the person that delivers the Courier may be all some people get.’