Kerry is praised for crash care in Basildon (From Echo)
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School nurse praised for first aid given to motorbike rider
10:00am Monday 20th August 2012 in Basildon By Lucy Kirby, Chief Reporter
Well done – paramedic Drew McRae, Kerry Jackson, student paramedic Chris Booth, duty ops manager Penny Smith and critical care paramedic Laurie Phillipson
A SCHOOL nurse who came to the aid of a motorcyclist after a horrific crash has been praised by the ambulance service.
Kerry Jackson, 39, was given a certificate of commendation at Basildon ambulance station, in Great Oaks, Basildon, yesterday.
Kerry was walking her dogs in Bulphan when a motorcyclist and van were involved in a collision where Church Road meets the A128.
The noise from the crash, on Tuesday, July 24, was so loud, it drew villagers out of their houses.
Kerry took charge and began administering basic first aid until paramedics from the East of England Ambulance Service arrived.
Fortunately for the motorcyclist, Kerry had worked in a high dependency unit at Queen’s Hospital in Romford. She said: “I made sure the environment was safe, the man was having difficulty breathing so I did what I could to help, and then thankfully, minutes later the ambulance arrived. These days I’m more used to dealing with children’s health issues, so I was a bit rusty, but my training really helped.”
Paramedics Drew McRae and Chris Booth arrived, followed by acting duty operations manager Penny Smith. They were all impressed with Kerry who remained at the scene for an hour to help.
Drew said: “Kerry was an enormous help to us, fetching and carrying things, holding the patient’s arm straight, things like that.”
Penny added: “She was great, quite vital, and she certainly remained calm.”
Essex Air Ambulance was eventually called in and they too were full of praise for Kerry.
Laurie Phillipson, the critical care paramedic on board, said: “I think Kerry was very noble to do what she did, and very brave.
“It’s very important the basics are done as early as possible, as it can have a real impact on the person’s recovery.”
Kerry, who lives in Thurrock , said: “I really am honoured, I’ll treasure this certificate.”
The motorcyclist, in his twenties from Grays, had serious head injuries and remains in a serious, but stable condition at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel.
Two 21-year-old men, from East London, and a 22-year-old, from Canvey , were arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving after the crash and have been released on bail until October 24.
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