A teenager from Machynlleth put her first aid skills to the test when she witnessed a multi-vehicle collision on her way home from Oswestry. 

Cadet Lance Corporal Holly Vincentelli, from Machynlleth Detachment, has been praised for acting quickly, calmly and safely while assessing the injured at a collision in June. 

When 15-year-old Holly assessed Benjamin, aged eight, she recognised that he was going into shock, but kept him calm by talking to him.

She checked for other injuries and gathered as much information as possible to pass to the emergency services.

County Times:

Cadet Lance Corporal Vincentelli of the Machynlleth Detachment.

Holly continued to monitor and reassure the young boy until a first responder, a fire officer, arrived to make sure his condition didn’t get worse.

When the fire officer arrived, Holly briefed him with the details she had gathered.

He asked her to remain with Benjamin while he carried out a full scene assessment.

He was confident  in knowing  that she had the skills and knowledge to support the casualty.

As the paramedics arrived, Holly again passed on her assessment to the Air Ambulance crew and to additional paramedics, before handing over to them for care.

Tracey Beaumont, Benjamin’s mum, said: “We will be forever grateful to Holly for keeping our son safe and reassuring him the whole while in such a calm and adult way. A true hero.”

As a result, Cadet Lance Corporal Vincentelli says she wants to become an army nurse to help in warzones and conflicts.

She said: “It was scary. I was really nervous and wasn’t sure what to expect. My hands were shaking with nerves but I knew I was doing the right thing and kept calm.

“First aid should be something schools should do. I was fortunate to learn the skills through Cadets, but not everyone does Cadets. First aid should be compulsory because it’s an important life skill.

“It could be needed anywhere when you’re least expecting it.”
Proud mum and dad, Michelle and Paolo, say they’re grateful to the Cadets for her training.

“We can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done with her. It’s made a massive impact on her. She’s put the first aid skills into action in a stressful situation, and did an amazing job. She could have shut down and froze but she didn’t.

“She had it under control and we can’t express how proud we are of her. She’s a star and surpassed our expectations”.

Gwent and Powys Army Cadets said: “We are incredibly proud of Lance Corporal Holly Vincentelli and the calm, professional manner in which she was able to deal with such a difficult situation at just 15 years old.”