A WORKER at a housing block for vulnerable young people claims he did not have the "right training" after failing to cut down a hanging teenager.

Kesia Waller, 17, was a resident at A2Dominion's City Road facility in Winchester and was found hanging there on January 25 2020.

At the ongoing inquest Dieu-Donne Salumah, previously referred to as 'Deedee' the facility manager, was today identified as a senior social support worker.

He was called to Ms Waller's room by another resident after she was unable to get hold of the teenager, who suffered with depression.

After gaining entry using the master key, it was apparent that Ms Waller was hanging and Mr Salumah called the emergency services.

But reading from the 999 call script, area coroner Sam Marsh said that the support worker was asked seven times to check if the youngster was breathing, and told seven times to cut her down.

It is believed Mr Salumah did not attempt either of these things.

He told Winchester Coroner's Court: "I went in to check for breathing but I hadn't had the right training – I didn't know where to check. I was shocked at that moment and I needed professional help.

"They asked me to cut her down but I simply didn't know what to do and didn't have anything to do it with. I did what I think I can do in terms of my own ability."

It was later revealed that Mr Salumah had been First Aid trained during his time at A2Dominion but he said this was only for casualties laying on the floor.

"I was begging the emergency services and was in a state of shock," he added. "It was very intense. This is not something I ever want to experience again in my life."

He also said that he was unsure if he was able to reach the teenager's body.

Relaying a statement from a First Responder who attended the incident, coroner Ms Marsh said: "This here says that you lacked a sense of urgency and were rather calm."

Mr Salumah responded: "He doesn't know what was going on inside my head."

On the day, security guard Ousman Jatta helped Mr Salumah. Whilst talking at the inquest he was visibly upset.

Giving evidence, he said that Mr Salumah did everything he could and did not tell other residents not to cut Ms Waller down, which had been alleged at the hearing yesterday.

Also at yesterday's hearing a witness claimed that Mr Salumah told Ms Waller that she should be "locked up in a mental hospital".

Read the full story from yesterday's hearing here.

Mr Salumah denied this and claimed to have said: "City Road is perhaps not the best place for you as it can't provide the support for your mental health."

He added that staff were not trained to give any clinical advice to residents and were encouraged to point them in the direction of a GP or CAHMS mental health service.

The inquest continues and is expected to concluded tomorrow.