If the pilot had shut down, he risked a shouting at and perhaps a black eye. The resident was standing at the door, so was not at risk of decapitation. There would have been very little or no risk to the aircraft on the ground, the safest place for it.
Since the pilot panicked and lifted, effectively placing the skids in the face of the resident, I would say the resident probably instinctively put his hands out to push the skids away. The risk to the aircraft has now increased because of pilot action.
He should have known better, it was his responsibility.