A media student from Birmingham City University has been praised for his heroics after rushing to give first aid to two people caught up in a car crash he’d witnessed.
John-Paul Kesseler, 37, a First Year BA Hons Media Production student has been dubbed a ‘good Samaritan’, even though his actions meant that he now has to self-isolate because one of the victims tested positive for COVID-19.
Police confirmed that a man was seriously injured after being hit by a car on Holloway Circus Queensway at around 3.40am on 24 September. A woman – the man’s partner – suffered a leg injury.
John-Paul who lives in Moseley, was a key witness at the scene of the accident. He has since spoken to the police. He told Birmingham Eastside his instincts kicked in straight away.
“I ran to them and discovered it was a woman. Both of them were unconscious at this stage, bleeding from their heads, and her leg was badly broken. I checked her pulse and breathing, both were good.
I saw the man receiving the chest was actually breathing so I shouted at the person giving them to stop and asked one of my friends to explain why and to keep him stationary.”
The man had suffered serious head injuries while the woman, needed “trauma care” after injuring her leg. Both of the victims were taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.
Dr Vanessa Jackon, Associate Professor at BCU’s Institute of Media and English commended John-Paul’s actions.
Both of the victims tested positive for COVID-19, John-Paul now has to self isolate for 10 days.
“It’s a bit frustrating, but it is what it is. we’re in unprecedented times so you do what’s required.”
A teenager has been arrested in connection with the crash for suspicious of dangerous drink and driving.
In a statement made by the West Midlands Police, they said: “We urgently need members of the public who were in contact with the man and the woman after the collision at 3.40 am to identify themselves.”
Witnesses would need to follow Government guidelines when in close contact with confirmed Covid-19 cases.
