A HERO dad, who once helped save the life of a pedestrian knocked down in a car accident last year, tried to help again after coming across a car crash on the City of Edinburgh Bypass last week.

Dean Paterson was with friends when they encountered the accident, in which teenage driver Jordan Robertson lost his life, last Thursday night.

Now Dean, who is a trained first aider, has revealed that he hopes to change his career and is applying to become a paramedic.

Dean, 24, from East Saltoun, was hailed as a hero in February last year after coming to the aid of pedestrian John Forsyth, who had been struck while crossing the road at Monktonhall Terrace in Musselburgh.

As other motorists drove past the unconscious Mr Forsyth, Dean used his car to block the road and stayed with John while the ambulance was called.

Dad-of-three Dean, who works as a mechanic for First Bus, did not hesitate to swing into action and last Thursday his training kicked in again when he witnessed the tragic accident on the bypass.

Dean said: “I was in a friend’s car on the bypass when I saw the car going the other way and the impact. I knew we had to turn around and go back to see if we could help. My training just kicked in. Sadly in this case there was nothing that could be done.”

Dean said that both incidents have had an impact on his life, and he only realised in recent days that he and victim Jordan shared a number of friends and may have even met in the past.

He said: “I was in a lot of car clubs when I was younger and he is as well.”

Tragically Jordan, from Leith in Edinburgh, did not survive the collision.

Dean took to social media to express his sadness after finding himself, once again, involved in trying to help.

Paying tribute to the teenager, he said: “Wish [I] got to meet you in a better way, rest in peace Buddy.”

And he revealed how both incidents had affected him this year making him re-evaluate everything he does.

Dean said: “I am looking at my career path and have applied to become a paramedic.”

Mr Forsyth, 39, who lived in Musselburgh, has recovered from his injuries following Dean’s quick actions when he was knocked down earlier this year. Police investigating the accident in which teenager Jordan lost his life are appealing for witnesses to get in touch.