A NEWLY-QUALIFIED first aider used his recentlyacquired life-saving skills to help a girl who had been knocked over within an hour of completing his course.

Ben McAdam, 26, who had just finished a three-day St John Ambulance First Aid at Work course in Durham City, was walking past the Whitehill’s pub, in Waldridge Road, Chester-le-Street, at about 4.30pm last Wednesday.

A young girl had run out from the back of a bus, had been hit by a car and was lying on the side of the road, bleeding heavily from a wound above her eye, distressed and unable to move.

Although there were already quite a few people comforting the casualty, Mr McAdam, a customer services manager, from Chester-le- Street, immediately took action and assessed the situation for any dangers.

Mr McAdam said: “There were lots of people helping the girl before I got there, but it was handy that I had a bandage on me and also that I knew how important it was to stem the blood and keep her warm and still.

“I’m so pleased that I’d done the St John Ambulance first aid course and want to thank my trainer, Linda Waland, for doing a really good job.”

The child was conscious, crying and in shock, and Mr McAdam suspected she had suffered broken legs, so he was adamant that she should not be moved until the ambulance arrived, but kept warm, still and calm.

He advised others to support the casualty’s head and tried to make her as comfortable as possible under the circumstances by chatting to her and reassuring her.

He was also able to ask her about allergies and medical history so he would have some background to give to paramedics when they arrived.

The girl, 12, was taken to hospital by ambulance with suspected broken legs.

James Allen, training liaison officer for St John Ambulance in the North-East, said: “We’re very pleased that Ben showed no hesitation in putting his training into practice immediately after his St John Ambulance first aid course.

“Two out of three people in this country would not know what to do in a first aid emergency and casualties, including children, can die unnecessarily as a result.

“Thanks to his training, Ben knew exactly what to do when he encountered this incident and he clearly helped to save this girl.”