Students thanked by police for post-collision help

Police have thanked college students who showed “great attitude and initiative” after their classmate was injured in a collision.

The teenagers sprang into action on 15 November when the victim was struck by a car in Urban Road, Kirkby.

After initially going to their classmate’s aid, they helped officers deliver first aid and direct the flow of rush-hour traffic.

PCs Zoe Connellan and Paige Hudson, from Nottinghamshire Police’s Kirkby-in-Ashfield neighbourhood policing team, were the first emergency responders on the scene and immediately took charge of the incident.

Despite their offers to relieve the students of their duties once back-up had arrived, all five stayed to assist until the victim, who thankfully escaped serious injury.

They have now been awarded recognition certificates by the college and thanked by officers.

PC Connellan said:

“The five students were a massive help; we couldn’t have managed the situation as well as we did without them. It was on a very busy road in rush hour and without their support it would have been even more challenging to keep Daniel safe and keep traffic moving.

“Everyone knows how busy the emergency services are these days, so them assisting with first aid before we got there was crucial to making sure that Daniel was alright.

“We offered to have officers take over from them but they were happy to stay for as long as we needed them.

“The students were a credit to themselves and the college, and we thought they deserved recognition for what they did.”

Simon Humphreys, programme area leader for uniformed protective services at West Nottinghamshire College, said:

“It was a fantastic reaction to a very traumatic and hectic incident on a public highway. Many people’s immediate response in these situations is to freeze but these students didn’t hesitate to assist.

“Their ability to remain level-headed and calm under duress is commendable. These are exactly the traits we try to instill in students through the teaching and training on the UPS course.

“This can only assist them going onto their chosen career paths, whether in the emergency services, military or other uniformed services.”