Posted: 10/10/19
Students’ help at crash scene spurs on career dreams
Two A-Level students from West Nottinghamshire College have been hailed as heroes by classmates and tutors after they stepped into action at a local road traffic collision.
Left to right - Patryk Swidnik, Matt Ridgill and Declan Glover
It was a regular Friday night out in September for pals Declan Glover and Patryk Swidnik, both 17, who had been enjoying drinks in Mansfield with friends after a busy week at college.
It was on their return home in a taxi later, that their night took a dramatic turn. They spotted an accident which had just happened on the road back home towards Shirebrook so the driver, Dec and Pat all got out the car.
Dec said: “It was a two-car crash and I went towards a lady who was sitting on the ground and was nursing a cut to her head. Her car had rotated 180 degrees and was badly smashed up but she managed to get out. I held a compression to her head and kept her neck still.”
Pat phoned the lady’s mother to let her know what had happened. The emergency services had already been called and they all stayed with her awaiting on them to arrive.
Pat said: “Our adrenaline was certainly flowing but it was good to be on the scene to help. We’re both studying hard at college with the dream of becoming doctors or surgeons, so for us, being able to help in such a situation felt both natural and satisfying.”
When the police arrived they gave the boys some medical gloves and lights and let them continue to assist until the fire service and ambulance arrived some thirty minutes later.
Head of the college’s A-Level department Matt Ridgill said: “I am so proud of Pat and Dec. The person involved in the accident is actually a friend of mine and it was on her Facebook account that weekend where I saw the details of the accident and noticed the lads’ tagged in it.
“I was so proud that they intervened and I was very confident they’d have been a great comfort and support at the accident. I am also very glad that this experience appears to have reinforced their desire to work in medicine.”
This week, (9 October) Matt presented Pat and Dec with certificates of recognition for their fast-thinking and compassion.
Next week, the pair will be completing their applications for university ready for 2020. Pat, who is studying chemistry, maths, biology and physics will be choosing either the University of Nottingham or the University of East Anglia and Dec, who is studying chemistry, maths and biology would like to apply for the University of York or the University of East Anglia.
