College student commended

A young man has been praised for his quick thinking, help and assistance at a recent road traffic collision.

Kerise Powell, 18, was on his way home from his plastering course at Oakfield College when he witnessed a road crash on the Hatfield Road in St Albans. He immediately ran over to give aid and he was confronted with two men who had been injured. Kerise found out that a man was crossing the road with a pushbike when he was struck by a motorbike.

The man who was 82, received life threatening injuries. The motorcycle rider ended up several feet away from the collision and was slightly injured. Kerise began to stabilise and comfort the man on the road and reassure him that help was on his way.

Duty operations manager Richard Griffiths was first at the scene 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 patients head still whilst I treated his injuries. The man had sustained a fractured femur, pelvis and a serious chest injury."

Following extensive treatment by paramedics and the crew of Helimed 7, he was airlifted to the Royal London hospital in Whitechapel. The man from the motorbike has since been discharged from hospital.

Kerise and his friend Jamie who was also at the collision were invited along to Stevenage ambulance station to receive a certificate of commendation for his part on the day of the crash. Communications manager Gary Sanderson 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 plastering at Oaklands College said: "Kerise came from our Multi Skills group to my plastering Level I Diploma course. 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 thouroughly deserves his award, well done."

The man has since been transferred out of the Royal London to Watford General hospital where he has made a slight improvement.