Man who performed CPR on young man stabbed in gang attack scared for own safety
A former soldier who desperately tried to save the life of a young man, thought to have links to Brisbane’s notorious Northside Gang, after an Australia Day stabbing says he feared for his own safety as he performed CPR.
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A MAN who worked tirelessly to save the life of a brutally stabbed teenager, who today died in hospital, told The Sunday Mail he feared for his own life while performing CPR.
Former Korean military soldier Heejong Joo, who goes by the name of Tim, found Kane Alexanderson, 18, unconscious and not breathing inside an inner-Brisbane hotel lift after a violent gang-related Australia Day brawl.
It is believed Mr Alexanderson had links to the notorious Northside Gang.
Mr Joo told The Sunday Mail he was worried the person who stabbed Mr Alexanderson would do the same to him.
“I was thinking ‘he might die soon, like real soon’ (because) he bled too much,” Mr Joo said.
“A lot of blood was already coagulating so I just did anything to bring him back … even though I was scared (because) what if someone came and did the same to me and stabbed me from behind.
“I thought, either way, I’m already involved in the incident and I was scared but I know how to protect my life. The more scary thing was thinking, ‘what if he dies.”
According to police, Mr Alexanderson was one of eight men to force entry into a room at the iStay River City Hotel on Albert St around 9.20pm on January 26.
The group of men knew the occupants of the hotel room, and it’s understood the two groups were members from rival gangs.
Mr Alexanderson was one of three teens to be stabbed in the Australia Day fight, with two 17-year-old men also requiring hospitalisation for non life-threatening injuries.
At the time of the incident, paramedics were forced to give Mr Alexanderson emergency open-heart surgery on the streets of Brisbane’s CBD, using white sheets held by police to create a makeshift operating theatre.
The teen, who was stabbed in the neck and chest, spent six days in hospital on life support after he was brought back to life by Mr Joo.
He passed away in the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital earlier today.
Learning of the man’s passing, Mr Joo said “my heart feels like it’s tearing apart.”
In the days following the attack, Mr Joo said “whatever (Kane) did, good or not, that doesn't mean that he deserves death. Even if he did (something) bad and needs a punishment, that (comes) after, once he comes back (to health.)”
Mr Joo said he feels sorry for Mr Alexanderson’s family, and “knows they’re going to be in really deep pain now.”
Police investigations continue and no arrests have been made.
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