Sheri Sutherland is one of three Ontario paramedics who will be presented with the McNally Award of Bravery for demonstrating exceptional courage in the line of duty.
Sutherland earned the honour for her response to an accident she witnessed Oct. 9, 2007 when a van crashed into the side of a transport truck at Bramalea and Orenda Rds. in Brampton.
The van burst into flames, with the unconscious driver inside. Sutherland, who was alone in her vehicle, called for help and then grabbed the fire extinguisher and asked a bystander to fight the fire.
Sutherland broke the passenger side window, climbed into the vehicle and pulled the driver out from a cloud of thick black smoke and powder from the fire extinguisher.
The driver soon regained consciousness and was transported to hospital by the responding ambulance crew.
"She demonstrated true valour and compassion, and placed herself in great danger to save the life of another," said her supervisor.
The other recipients of this year's bravery awards are Sylvain Veulleux of Prescott-Russell and Rob McColeman of Toronto.
AMEMSO is the provincial organization representing leaders of municipal
emergency medical services in Ontario. Their three-day convention in London ends tomorrow.
jstewart@mississauga.net
