Identity of soldier who 'saved' collapsed teen at dawn service revealed

Josh Bishop (left) has met with 19-year-old Ryan Kelly after he helped save his life at the Anzac Day dawn service. Photo / Ben Fraser

A Rotorua teen was among the hundreds who gathered on the shores of Lake Rotorua for the Anzac Day dawn service at the Ohinemutu war memorial last Thursday. When his still stance crumpled, the situation dramatically worsened when he suffered a significant head injury from the fall. Quick thinking from others in the crowd helped turn the young man's fate around. After his release from hospital and with help from the public, he has now had the chance to thank the soldier who's quick first aid actions may have saved his life.

The identity of the soldier who helped save the life of 19-year-old Ryan Kelly after he collapsed and started vomiting has been revealed.

Josh Bishop, a firefighter and territorial force officer, was at the Anzac dawn service at Ohinemutu last Thursday when Kelly fainted, hitting his head on the concrete.

After being rushed to hospital, Kelly's mum Nadine approached the Rotorua Daily Post to find the identity of the man she believed helped save her son's life.

As many soldiers were, Bishop was standing in the crowd at the right time and place.

Dawn Service at Muruika Soldiers' Cemetery where Ryan Kelly collapsed resulting in a trip to the hospital. Photo / Ben Fraser

"I heard a loud thud and I turned around to see a young man on the ground and people were trying to move him but it was quite clear that something was wrong."

At that point, Bishop took control and carried out first aid he had learnt through his time in the defence force and as a firefighter.

"It was pretty bad, he wasn't breathing.

"But I don't believe what I had done was heroic in any way, it was simply what any soldier or officer would have done in that position."

Bishop said he was grateful he was in the position where he could help.

Kelly told the Rotorua Daily Post this week his head was still tender but overall he was fine thanks to Bishop.

"It was kinda weird because it was the first time it had happened to me so it was all a bit scary."

Kelly can't remember anything apart from a feeling of dizziness that crept over him then waking up in an ambulance half an hour later.

"It has definitely changed me, I am going to change my whole diet and start being a bit more healthy."

The pair met in person last night so Kelly could say thank you. They had previously been exchanging messages.

"He said 'no need to thank me, he was just glad he could help'.

"[It was] good to thank him because it was good to have someone that knew what they were doing there.

Kelly wanted to thank everyone that was involved including those who lent their jackets under his head to support him.