A TEENAGER who battled in vain to save the life of a young mother killed on a pedestrian crossing has launched a fundraising appeal to support her injured child and devastated family.

Earlier this month, James Cummings was in a traffic jam when he saw a horrifying incident begin to unfold on the road ahead of him, witnessing the moment when Shantelle Kirkup and her five-year-old son were hit by a blue Ford Focus while walking on a pedestrian crossing at Darlington’s St Cuthbert’s Way.

Without a second thought, the 18-year-old abandoned his vehicle and sprinted to their aid, carrying out CPR on the 29-year-old and assisting emergency services workers who rushed to the scene from the nearby fire and police stations.

Mrs Kirkup, from Northallerton, was flown to Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital but succumbed to her injuries and died just hours after the incident, which happened at around 3.40pm on Sunday, May 6. Her son was treated in paediatric intensive care for serious injuries but is now recovering at home.

Mr Cummings, who works for McDonald’s, said that he wanted to do all that he could to ensure that Mrs Kirkup’s loved ones are supported throughout their ordeal.

The young Darlington man said members of Mrs Kirkup’s heartbroken family had thanked him for his actions and reassured him when he “felt like a failure” for being unable to save her.

He said: “I started fundraising to help meet funeral costs and anything her son might need because they couldn’t have prepared for such an awful situation so it won’t be easy – I asked her husband and he said it would be a great help.

“Members of her family keep messaging to thank me but I just did what had to be done.

“I was in my car with my mam and I saw it happen and shouted ‘mam, the baby’s been hit’.

“I jumped out straight away and ran 300 yards through traffic, the adrenaline was making me go faster and I didn’t care about being hit, I just wanted to get to the little boy.

“I was one of the first there and it was awful, everyone was screaming and Shantelle’s husband was shouting for help.

“I did CPR and an off duty paramedic was doing mouth to mouth – I did my best but it was very tiring, it looks easy but it isn’t, I was out of breath and crying and getting upset myself.

“As soon as I started it, the ambulance with blue lights was already driving down the pavement and people came running out of the doors from the fire and police stations just next to where it happened.

“I was so determined to save her and devastated when I failed but I’ve been told nobody would have been able to.

“I’m 18 and nobody my age should have had to witness what happened, it upset me so much I couldn’t go to work for two days.

“But I would do it all again, everything that I did – if it was my wife, I would want somebody to try and help them.”

Mr Cummings, who wants to be a police officer, is now saving up to do a training course to enable him to become a volunteer first aider.

Earlier this month, Sergeant Phil Grieve, from Durham and Cleveland Specialist Operations Unit, thanked those who helped at the scene as he appealed for witnesses to the incident.

To donate to help Mrs Kirkup’s family, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/james-cummings

  • The 36-year-old driver of the Ford was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drink or drugs. He has been released under investigation as enquiries continue.