Chatham-Kent police officers, dispatchers and residents who helped an individual after a vehicle exploded in Tilbury last December were formally recognized for their quick actions.
Chief Gary Conn made the presentation during Wednesday’s police services board meeting. On Dec. 1, emergency services responded to a call about a vehicle explosion on Ella Street and a male on fire, stated a board report.
Area residents Roger Beaule and Peter Laliberte immediately assisted, with Beaule running out of his house to extinguish the flames with a blanket and Laliberte helping. Lori Beaule called 911.
Emergency communications operator Chelsea Charron took the call and sent pages to the fire department. She also took over asking questions for EMS dispatch when they were having technical difficulties.
Constables Ryan Federman and Trevor Biskey arrived on scene before Chatham-Kent firefighters and EMS. They discovered the victim’s pants had burned off, along with a layer of skin on his legs.
“His remaining clothing had sparks throughout and the officers put them out,” Conn said during his address to the board.
They heard a hissing noise and learned a propane tank was inside the burning vehicle and pulled the victim away shortly before it exploded.
const. Danica Quenneville went to the hospital and remained with the victim until he was transferred to Toronto to be treated for second and third-degree burns to his hands, legs and torso. Federman and Biskey stayed to provide support to the family in the meantime.
The officers also met with family members the following day, along with Beaule and Laliberte.
Conn recognized all of the above individuals, as well as Const. Ian Scoyne, emergency communications supervisor Jennifer Roesch, and emergency communications operators Samantha Cowdrey and Nicole Torrieri.
“I strongly believe … their collective response and actions demonstrated the collaborative efforts of our members and local citizens to function as a team in an extremely high-stress situation,” the chief said.
“Further, the collective effort by these parties recognized here today, without a doubt, brought a potentially critical situation to a successful conclusion, with no loss of life.”