TEENAGER David Ward did not realise how quickly he would have to put his newly learned first aid skills into practice.

Only two weeks after he finished a course, David, 16, from Haswell, County Dur-ham, was among the first people at the scene of a road accident in which a man died.

David, who is studying for a diploma in public services at New College, Durham, was travelling by bus from the city with a friend last week, when the vehicle stopped at a road accident involving a pedestrian and a car, between Haswell Plough and Haswell.

He said: "Someone came on the bus and asked if anyone knew first aid. I had not long completed a course at college and said I could."

David and friend Richard Costello, also 16, went to the aid of 29-year-old Michael Parkin, who was in the road.

While Richard dialled 999, David began searching for a pulse on Mr Parkin.

He said: "Richard relayed instructions through to me and I did a capillary test and pulse test and I then turned him over to begin resuscitation, when the police arrived."

While an officer tried resuscitation, David carried out compression on the man's chest. Sadly, Mr Parkin, of Haswell Plough, could not be revived.

David's valiant efforts to help Mr Parkin were praised by police at the scene.

"I never thought twice about it, all I had learned came back to me immediately,'' said David, who hopes to train as a police officer after college.

At his home in Haswell, his mother, Deborah, said: "We are all so sorry that Mr Parkin died, but I am hugely proud of my son. The police said he had responded with speed and skill at the scene."