Tuesday 4 October 2016

Lake Macquarie Teen Hailed A Hero Following Pelican House Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

 A teenager who risked his life trying to save his neighbour from her burning home at Pelican is set to be transferred from the John Hunter to Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital today.

18-year-old Robert Kidd suffered suspected heat damage to his airway as he crawled around the bedroom of 63-year-old Pamela Wilds in her Karog Street home on Sunday night - she was pulled from the weatherboard home unconscious by firefighters and remains in a critical condition in the burns unit of Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital.

Robert collapsed at the back door of Ms Wilds' home and was treated by Ambulance Paramedics for smoke inhalation before being taken to the John Hunter is a serious condition.

He's since been placed in an induced coma.

The Callaghan College student is due to start his HSC exams next week.

Robert's mother Josephine told NBN News, he thought nothing of his own safety in trying to save his neighbour.

"He raced around the house, he's done forced entry into the home and he was looking for Pam - that was his main concern, Pam," she said.

Lake Macquarie police have also praised Robert's actions saying they should be publicly recognised.

Hero: Robert Kidd on Life Support. Photo courtesy Josephine Kidd and smh.com.au