Stop the Bleed: How specialized training saved an Idaho Falls motorcyclist

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — On July 17, 2024, Fred King was riding his motorcycle down Broadway when his life changed in an instant. An oncoming car struck King, destroying his bike and severing his leg. If it weren't for Jake Allred, who had taken the Stop the Bleed classes, King may not be standing here today.

Allred was driving by when he witnessed the aftermath of the collision. While several bystanders rushed to help, Allred arrived with a specific set of skills. Years earlier, after witnessing another accident, he decided to enroll in Stop the Bleed, a national program that trains civilians to handle life-threatening trauma.

It turns out, the instructor who originally taught Allred how to save a life was Fred King’s own niece. That afternoon on Broadway, the lesson came full circle as Allred applied those skills to save his instructor’s uncle.

Uncontrolled bleeding is the leading cause of preventable death following a traumatic injury. While others tried to help King with makeshift tourniquets, Allred had exactly what was needed.

"They had a couple of makeshift tourniquets on Fred, but I had a professional one," Allred recalled. "I was able to, without thinking, prep the tourniquet correctly. And help it get on...that's because of the stop the bleeding classes that I've taken before."

A tourniquet is a strap-like device that can go on arms and legs to prevent bleeding from wounds. Classes like Stop the Bleed teach their students how to use these properly.

Nearly two years after the accident that nearly took his life, Fred King is back on his motorcycle.

"I got a few that tell me, you got to give up riding them Harley's. But should I have to?" Fred said. "You know, look what happened here. And I don't think I can say is riding is part of my life, and I'm fortunate enough and, that big rider up in the sky said I'm going to give you another chance at this."