A brave Bay Ridgite studying in London sprung into action during Saturday’s terror attack when a wounded man stumbled into the pub where he was eating and collapsed.
Mark Kindschuh, the quick thinking 19-year-old, darted out from safety and wrapped his belt around the man’s gushing head wound to quell the bleeding. It was selfless instinct, said his father.
“He thought of nothing other than stopping the bleeding,” said Dr. Mark Kindschuh, director of Coney Island Hospital’s emergency department. “Mark didn’t know if he had been shot or stabbed or what. He was injured and needed help — it was real simple math for Mark.”
The Boston College junior and friends were having dinner at The Wheatsheaf, just a few minutes from London Bridge, when chaos erupted and frantic locals streamed into the pub for safety. A man, covered in blood, collapsed just inside the entrance and Kindschuh rushed to help him.
Cradling the man’s head in his hands, Kindschuh’s emergency training as a lifeguard kicked in as he fumbled for the wound, pressing down to stop the bleeding and desperately trying to keep the man awake, said the teen’s father.
“Mark did everything to keep him conscious, talking about sports, soccer,” said Dr. Kindschuh. “But there came a point when he realized that wasn’t going to be enough.”
The recent U.S. Army recruit whipped off his canvas belt and tied it around the man’s head. When he couldn’t find a doctor in the pub he dashed out into the street to find help — running into the thick of the terrorist hunt.
“He went out that door — and that’s where I take pause — that’s to me where it’s really something,” said Dr. Kindschuh. “That’s self-sacrifice, because what was outside that door, he didn’t know. He just knew he needed help.”
Law enforcement officers armed to the teeth shouted for Kindschuh to get back inside. Seconds after the bartender pulled him back in and locked the door, one of the terrorists crashed up against the glass and bullets began flying, described Dr. Kindschuh.
“What separated my son from tragedy and heroism. I don’t know,” said his father. “It’s a blessing. We’re so very, very proud.”
Shortly after, emergency responders were able to rush the injured man to the hospital.
The selfless teen joined the Army less than two months ago, and will be a Second Lieutenant when he graduates and begins four years of active duty. Afterwards, he has his sights set on Law School, according to his father.
