Just weeks after celebrating his 16th birthday, a Pembroke Dock young firefighter was commended for showing true professionalism.

Pembroke School pupil Ryan Calvert — a member of the skill building scheme for young people hoping to enter the fire service — was the first on the scene of a road accident last Wednesday at Bush Hill, Pembroke.

“A motorbike collided with a car on the junction and the motorcyclist flew a few feet through the air,” said Ryan.

“It was a shock but the adrenalin kicked in. I parked my moped sideways to stop the traffic and ran over to the casualty.”

Having attended Pembroke Dock Young Firefighters since March, Ryan had received first aid training just weeks earlier.

He added: “I put the man in the recovery position and he was screaming in pain so I tried to keep him calm. In the meantime the driver of the car dialled 999 and I gave details of our location and the casualty’s condition.

“I checked his airway and somebody tried to take his helmet off but I told him to leave it on.”

Ryan remained calm and in complete control as a crowd gathered at the scene.

“I think the casualty went into shock then,” he said.

“One minute he was screaming and then he fell silent and started shaking. I wrapped my coat around him and fetched more coats and tried to keep him talking until paramedics arrived.”

Ambulance Service area manager Dorian James said: “Ryan did really well. He gave a good handover and told us that the casualty had come off his bike before assisting us in placing the patient on a spinal board.”

Young Firefighters lead instructor Paul Dyson said: “At young firefighters we try to mimic the exact role a firefighter, from their uniform to their own fire engine.

“We deal with more road traffic collisions than fires so first aid skills are particularly important.”

Ryan said: “I would love to be a firefighter and young firefighters is one of the best things I’ve ever done.”