Bystanders aid boy critically injured in central Minnesota bike crash, police say
Bystanders rushed to help a boy who was critically injured in a bike crash in central Minnesota on Sunday, police said.
According to the Sartell Police Department, 12-year-old Raghav Shrestha crashed in Northside Park at about 7:50 p.m. near the bottom of a popular hillside known as Muskie Hill. He was wearing a helmet. His 10-year-old friend quickly called 911.
Police Chief Brandon Silgjord said Shrestha suffered a severe head injury that caused cardiac arrest.
Gary Wassen, a CPR instructor, happened to be walking his dog at the time of the accident and jumped into action.
"He had cuts on his knees and he was bleeding from his mouth and his nose, and again, no pulse," Wassen said.
Wassen performed CPR for five minutes until first responders arrived.
"Having the experience of teaching these classes for so long, it just kicked in," he said.
Shrestha, a seventh-grade student, still had no pulse when he was loaded into the ambulance, but first responders were able to revive him to the point of getting a pulse while on the way to a St. Cloud hospital. He was eventually airlifted to Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis and was in critical condition on Monday evening.
Silgjord said he's grateful for Wassan's intervention.
"Absolutely amazing that we have a citizen willing to jump in right away, but to know he is a current CRP instructor and instructing courses," he said.
An earlier statement from Sartell police also noted, "multiple citizens ran in to help, several with medical experience, and gave assistance however they could, including assisting EMS staff and comforting the juvenile friend to the victim."
Silgjord and first responders said they are praying for Shrestha's recovery.
Police are working with staff at the school he attends to provide support to students and employees.