A QUICK-thinking teenager who dashed to the rescue of a critically injured cyclist following an accident has been praised by the ambulance service.
Kerise Powell has been awarded a certificate of commendation for helping to stabilise the 82-year-old man at the scene of a serious accident earlier this month.
The 18-year-old from Stevenage was outside the Oaklands College Smallford campus in St Albans, where he is studying for a plastering diploma, when he saw the events unfold.
A motorcyclist was in collision with the cyclist as he crossed the road with his pushbike. The cyclist was left with life-threatening injuries and the motorcyclist, who landed several feet away from the collision, was slightly injured.
Without hesitation, Kerise ran over to help and called for an ambulance.
He began to stabilise and comfort the elderly man on the road, ensuring he remained conscious and reassuring him that help was on its way.
Kerise said: "He was pretty critical as he had multiple injuries, but he was still conscious and talking. I was just checking if he was ok and held his neck still."
Following extensive treatment by paramedics and the helicopter crew of Helimed 7, the patient was airlifted to the Royal London hospital and he has since been transferred to Watford General hospital where he is stable.
The ambulance trust soon contacted Kerise to invite him and his friend James Grosch, who was also at the scene, to Stevenage ambulance station to collect the award.
Richard Griffiths, duty operations manager for the ambulance trust, was first at the scene and said: "When I arrived Kerise introduced himself and gave me an exact account of what had occurred. Whilst the two ambulances were en route to the scene, Kerise managed to keep the patient's head still whilst I treated his injuries. The man had sustained a fractured femur, pelvis and a serious chest injury."
Gary Sanderson, ambulance communications manager, was also on the scene and said: "It was a pleasure to pass on his award on behalf of the crews who were involved in this incident. Kerise leapt in to action and made sure both casualties were ok before our arrival, he thoroughly deserves the recognition from our trust."
Lee Appleton, who teaches Kerise at Oaklands College, said: "I have only known him for a few months and he is an outstanding young man. He is always helpful and he is coming on really well, he thoroughly deserves his award, well done.
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