Tye Sanderson knows he’s lucky, receiving only minor injuries after being struck by and trapped under a car here on May 24 on his way home from school.
But now, the Grade 2 student is sure he is the luckiest boy in town.
During an assembly at Elora Public School on June 14, Sanderson was presented with an autographed Sidney Crosby jersey.
“He’s a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan,” said Derek Rogers, media representative for the Western Region OPP.
In a presentation about safety, Rogers told the story of Tye, who was walking home from school with friends for the first time. Catching up with his friends on the street, the child ran out in front of a slow moving vehicle, was struck and ended up trapped beneath the car, under the engine section.
“There were police, fire and ambulance. Tye’s dad was on the scene,” Rogers said, noting all were trying to keep the terrified boy calm.
Members of the Centre Wellington Fire Department used the Jaws of Life to lift the car off the child.
Throughout the scenario, Sanderson was focused on his beloved jersey.
Recalling reports from the scene, Rogers said, “The boy is trapped under the car and the only thing he is worried about is that they (emergency personnel) would have to cut the Sidney Crosby jersey off him.”
John Reid, of Guelph Wellington EMS, remembers the incident well.
“We arrived first on the scene and pulled up, but Tye was not visible to us,” Reid said, after getting the call. “It’s frightening to come on the scene and not be able to see him.”
After assessing the situation, the EMS crew had to keep Sanderson calm until the fire department arrived.
“Tye was on his belly, completely under the engine,” Reid said. “He was very afraid, but very worried about his jersey. I said, ‘in less than five minutes we’ll have you out of there.’”
And they did. Unfortunately, Reid explained, due to the potential injuries, the EMS had to use “trauma sheers to remove the jersey, for spinal injury precaution.”
Reid said the young patient was very worried about his jersey, but happy to be safe.
Sanderson was admitted to Groves Memorial Community Hospital for one night.
“Everything worked out seamlessly,” Reid said. “A lot of times we don’t have as good an outcome. I’m just glad things worked out.”
Through family connections, word of the accident reached Canadian Olympic team gymnast Victoria Moors, of Cambridge, a participant in the 2012 London Olympics.
“I was on my way to Pittsburgh when my Mom called me and told me about the situation,” Moors said.
Moors, a friend of Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero, shared the story with Shero and his wife, who arranged for a jersey and had it autographed by Crosby himself.
Moors was on hand for the assembly and visited Sanderson’s class to greet students and sign autographs.
Scott Lawson, detachment commander for Wellington County OPP, spoke to the audience of mostly students, reminding them that while the assembly was a celebration, it was not intended to reward the situation that Sanderson found himself in.
“Something happened that shouldn’t have happened,” Lawson said. “We should never forget that driver and what she went through.”
Speaking on issues of safety, Lawson reminded both parents and children of the importance of making eye contact with drivers on the road.
“The lesson here is to be safe,” Lawson said. Turning to members of the Centre Wellington Fire Department, Guelph Wellington EMS and Wellington County OPP, Lawson said, “I want to thank our first responders … that came to the scene and were there with the family and Tye at the time.”
He added, “It’s always nice when there is a happy ending and we know that isn’t always the case. Thank you to the first responders for everything you do.”
Tye’s father John Cox reiterated his appreciation to the first responders at the assembly.
“Today is a celebration that Tye is with us and has no long lasting effects. It’s touching that we get to be here and speak about safety here at the school.”
Shannon Cox, Tye’s mother, said the day was about “community.”
Part of that community includes two local hockey stars, Brock and Jamie McGinn, who stopped in to offer well wishes.
Also on hand to watch the jersey presentation were several members of Sanderson’s family, including grandparents Lynne and Jamie Denny, who are grateful to the community for their support.
“We want people to know just how thankful we are that everything went fine,” said Lynn Denny. “Our hearts go out to the driver. We are thinking of her.”
Noting how lucky their grandson was, Jamie Denny said, “So far it’s nice he hasn’t had any concussions … scratches and bruise will go away.”
What won’t go away is the memory of the day Sanderson received his own autographed Sidney Crosby jersey in front of the friends, family and heroes who helped him when he needed them most.
