Even in the most dire and drastic of emergency situations, there is a local silver lining. Four local youths have shown that Estevan is home to very responsible good Samaritans. At a police board meeting, they were given formal recognition for the role they played in helping the victims of a recent vehicular accident on Kensington Avenue last week.
On Oct. 16, in the city council chambers, members of the Estevan City Council and Estevan Police Chief Paul Ladouceur gave challenge coins to Hellen Fornwald who showed up to accept the award on behalf of her absent son Taylor (18), Thomas Wakely (16), Garret Ross (15), and Colin Sutter (16). Challenge coins are usually reserved to recognize the accomplishments of police officers, but Ladouceur made an exception for the four youths who helped victims of the accident.
The four of them were on the scene on the evening of the Oct. 10 accident, and immediately went to work, helping out as best they could.
“These youth immediately stopped to see if anyone needed help at the scene of the accident,” said Ladouceur, at Friday’s police board meeting. “Although I can’t say much, because the matter is still under investigation, we want to recognize the efforts of these gentlemen.”
At the scene of the accident Ross called 911, while Fornwald, Wakely and Sutter tended to the injured people involved in the accident. At one point, Ladouceur noted a small fire started on the street and in the engine of one of the vehicles involved in the accident. Sutor stomped out the fire on the street with the help of an unnamed bystander, and proceeded to extinguish the fire in the engine, by pouring water on it from a water bottle he had with him at the time.
Afterwards, all four youths stayed with the injured parties until emergency services arrived on the scene, and took over the situation.
Ladouceur acknowledged that all four of the youths who assisted at the accident scene had lifeguard training, and noted that the training they received from the city’s lifeguard program likely helped them be able to respond as quickly and efficiently as they did, in the emergency situation on Kensington Avenue.
“While they didn’t see what they did as a huge contribution, I can tell you, as a police officer investigating several serious motor vehicle accidents, one of the most important things is to give support to the victims in a car accident,” said Ladouceur. “I think just by being there, it’s a huge task in itself.
“I want to commend the four of you on your actions that night. It may seem minor to you, but it’s very important to victims. Your contributions made a difference,” he added.
