An "astonishing" student got top A-level marks only 10 days after spending his 18th birthday dramatically saving his dad's life. Adam Holding was opening presents on his landmark birthday when his father's heart stopped.

Brave Thomas Alleyne's High School pupil Adam, and mum Donna, administered lifesaving CPR before 55-year-old dad Andy was airlifted to the Royal Stoke Hospital's critical care ward.

Little more than a week after the traumatic experience, Adam had to take his A-level history exam - and today, Thursday, August 17, found out he got an A.

Despite caring for Andy and suffering harrowing flashbacks while trying to revise, B grades in chemistry and biology also followed.

After opening his results today, Thursday, August 17, Adam is now off to the University of Nottingham to study agriculture.

Thomas Alleyne's High School, Uttoxeter, A Level results day 2017. Left to right - Adam Holding, Harvey Marples, Dan Ferneyhough, Megan Gardiner, Zoe Broad, Lucy Ormiston-Lee, Martha Taylor
Thomas Alleyne's High School, Uttoxeter, A-level results day 2017. From left are: Adam Holding, Harvey Marples, Dan Ferneyhough, Megan Gardiner, Zoe Broad, Lucy Ormiston-Lee, Martha Taylor

The Leigh lad said: "One minute we were opening presents and the next my dad had collapsed. I had to help give CPR and organise the ambulance and spent my 18th birthday, in May, in hospital by his side.

"It was just terrible. I don't think words can describe how hard it was for my mum and I. He was close to dying and it was touch and go for days afterwards. It was incredibly frightening.

"A-levels were the last thing on my mind at that stage, but I somehow managed to get back into my revision - and I'm just amazed by the results. Now I'm just really excited for the future and can't wait to start afresh at university."

Animal feed sales worker Andy spoke of his "immense pride" for his studious son.

He said: "I've got no memory of what happened. I just woke up in hospital and the first thing I saw was Adam.

"The first night was pretty serious and there was a real fear I could go and when I got home Adam continued to care for me. He's still driving me around now because I can't drive for six months on doctor's orders.

"I'm tremendously proud. He saved my life and still managed to do me proud in his exams - and he's been working on a local farm throughout all of this too."

Mum Donna, 48, said: "It's just incredible Adam could show such strength and commitment in such awful circumstances. It was the worst experience you could imagine and just for him to turn up to his exams was amazing enough.

"But to show the resolve to do so well - I can't put it into words how proud we are. He was really struggling emotionally and has been having flashbacks since it happened."

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