Kieran Doulton, then 17 years old from Ringwood, was driving to the petrol station in Ferndown last March, when out of the corner of his eye he noticed an elderly lady lying on the ground as he drove passed. Acting fast Kieran drove back and parked his car using it as a barrier with his hazards on to protect the lady lying on the car park ground, before approaching her to help.
Kieran and Mary with his award
Kieran introduced himself to Yvonne who’d had the fall and her friend Mary, stating he was first aid trained and asked if they’d be happy for him to help.
Kieran said:
“The moment I saw Yvonne and her friend Mary I knew I had to stop and offer to help, I couldn’t have carried on driving.
“The first thing I asked was to see Yvonne’s hands because my Fire Cadets first aid training had taught me that when you fall over the first thing you do is put your hands out to save your fall. Yvonne had no grazes on her hands which indicated her head had hit the concrete first.”
Kieran then went on to assess Yvonne and helped clean her injuries and bandage her head wound. Rather than wait for an ambulance Kieran offered to drive them both to the local hospital, which they gladly accepted.
Kieran requested Yvonne’s friend Mary sat in the back of his car to keep an eye on Yvonne so she could tell him if Yvonne lost consciousness. On arrival at the hospital Kieran explained to reception that Yvonne had tripped, fallen and bumped her head and she was seen straight away.
Yvonne Bailey said:
“Young lads these days you don’t expect them to help but Kieran stopped for me, I’m very grateful.
“I’m pleased he’s been given this award. He’s a very nice lad and he deserves to do well.”
Yvonne from London was visiting her friend Mary in Ferndown when the fall happened. The pair have been friends for over 60 years.
Mary Finch said:
“Kieran is a one in a million, I can’t thank him enough. I was frightened to lift Yvonne, but Kieran stopped to help, he asked lots of questions, checked her over and he stayed with us till the end and brought us home.”
Kieran was recognised for his actions with a National Fire Chief’s Council, ‘Courage in Adversity’ award, presented to cadets who have found themselves in a situation where they have used their training and experience gained at cadets to have a significant impact on the wellbeing of others.
An award presentation took place at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service headquarters on 12th November, hosted by HIWFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Rob Cole.
Rob Cole, HIWFRS Assistant Chief Fire Officer said:
“The level of care Kieran gave was outstanding. His courage, confidence and quick thinking to stop and help Yvonne demonstrates empathy beyond his years.
“I feel privileged to have presented Kieran with this well deserved award and incredibly proud to see a Fire Cadet being recognised for using their first aid skills to help someone in need in their community.”
Kieran who is now 18 has kept in touch with Yvonne and Mary and is currently training to become a Fire Cadets Volunteers Instructor, with the ambition of joining the service as an on-call firefighter.
Kieran said:
“I couldn’t not stop and help, but I did just happen to be in the right place at the right time and my Fire Cadets training kicked in. It’s been lovely to get to know Yvonne and Mary and check in on them since March. I look forward to helping more people through volunteering at Fire Cadets and hopefully becoming a firefighter one day.”