A journalism student covering a royal visit helped rescue a man whose skull was split open after he was attacked by a gang nearby.

Benjamin Wareing had just finished photographing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s visit to Birkenhead when the man was seriously assaulted after he confronted a gang who had thrown a milkshake at his car.

Benjamin rushed to the victim’s aid and used his jacket to stem the flow of blood from a wound to his skull, believed to have been sustained after he hit his head on the road during the attack.

The Staffordshire University student, who described the assault as “horrific” and whose clothes were left “soaked through with blood”, also performed a number of checks on the man, ensuring his airways were open and pulse was present, before police officers and an ambulance arrived.

Police at the scene of the attack in Birkenhead

The 49-year-old is now in a critical, but stable, condition in hospital. Four people have so far been arrested in connection with the assault.

The attack happened at around 3pm on Monday, shortly after the Duke and Duchess had visited a nearby youth centre.

Benjamin, who is in his second year on Staffordshire’s NCTJ-accredited BA journalism course, was working in a freelance capacity at the event and has previously provided pictures for live news image agencies including Alamy.

He has also contributed articles to hyperlocal website Blog Preston for a number of years.

Said Benjamin: “It’s a relief to hear [the victim] is in a stable, condition, albeit still critical, but my heart breaks that he is in this situation at all.”

He offered his thanks to Merseyside Police and a lady who helped him tend to the man, as well as other journalists present who had looked after his camera equipment,

Benjamin added: “As a journalist and photographer, I would much prefer to be reporting on the news and not be involved – but in moments like this, moments that demand attention and action immediately, it is far better to get involved and give what help you can.

“This incident and what I saw will stick with me for a long time, and has already impacted me heavily, but I am so deeply glad I was in the right place to offer my help. I just hope that help was enough, and that my actions may have helped this poor man survive a horrific assault.”

Merseyside Police told the Liverpool Echo yesterday it was “not able to comment” on whether the force was talking to Royal Protection about the assault.

The force added there was no CCTV available that it was able to issue to the press.