MOUNT FOREST – An incredibly surprised Grade 12 student from Wellington Heights Secondary School (WHSS) was awarded a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal at the school on Nov. 8 in recognition of her recent act of heroism.
Perth-Wellington MP John Nater presented the award to Tori van Tol in front of her friends and family members.
“When a serious accident happened near her home, [she] didn’t hesitate to rush in,” Nater stated in a social media post.
“She pulled the driver from one of the vehicles just before it burst into flames and provided first aid and support while waiting for first responders.”
On Oct. 18, van Tol was expected to attend her sister’s hockey game.
“I really didn’t feel like going, so I decided to stay home,” she said.
“I think that I was meant to be home that day.”
From her home on Highway 6 near Mount Forest, van Tol witnessed a passenger car stray out of its lane and into the path of an oncoming transport truck.
The vehicles collided, sending the truck onto van Tol’s front lawn, while the car ended up on the opposite side of the road.
While the truck driver was tending to his rig with a fire extinguisher, van Tol quickly ran over to the car and was able to pull the driver out of the vehicle just as it burst into flames.
Tori van Tol poses with her family after receiving a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal from Perth-Wellington MP John Nater at Wellington Heights Secondary School on Nov. 8. From left are: Ron Gibson, Ben van Tol, Tori van Tol, Mary Gibson, Amanda van Tol, Oma Hennie and Nater. Photo by Sue Hogenkamp
“By the time I got to her, her hair had just started to catch fire” she said.
“I asked for her name and kept talking to her. I called 9-1-1, but they couldn’t seem to figure out where we were.
“Our address had changed, and it wasn’t in their system. Finally, the police came, and the ambulance and firefighters.”
During the presentation of the award, WHSS principal Brent Bloch was quick to commend van Tol’s heroic actions and her humility, noting she “didn’t even post about what happened on social media.”
Nater also lauded van Tol for not hesitating “to do what was needed.”
“I was so honoured to recognize Tori with a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Pin and to show the thanks of the community,” stated Nater.
“Tori is a credit to her community and her generation.”
Asked what advice she would offer to others after her experience, van Tol said, “I’ve heard about accidents where people stop and get out with their phones to take pictures instead of helping.
“Put down your phone and help. There’s always something you can do.”
Van Tol says she knew what to do in the emergency thanks to a recent co-op placement.
Following graduation from high school, she intends to pursue a career in nursing.
The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award recognizes people who do something exceptional and may not necessarily be recognized in any other way.
According to Nater, a total of 70 people across the riding of Perth-Wellington will receive the award, one for each year of Queen Elizabeth’s reign.
