Stephen O'Brien accepts a pair of sunglasses to try on from Amber Cushman, of "Maui Jim" eyewear, as part of presentation of a $1,200 gift certificate in the company's local hero recognition program on Wednesday at Eye Solutions optometry outlet on Dunmore Road in Medicine Hat. O'Brien called 911 and performed emergency first-aid on a badly hurt cyclist last fall.--NEWS PHOTO COLLIN GALLANT
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant
A Medicine Hat man who came to the aid of a cyclist with a broken neck near Altawana Drive last fall was called a local hero Wednesday.
Stephen O’Brien was returning home from work last October when he was flagged down by a teenager seeking help for his badly injured brother.
He quickly called 911 and then performed emergency first-aid on the injured teen until help arrived.
“My advice to everyone is to pay attention in first-aid class,” said O’Brien on Wednesday when he was presented with a $1,200 gift certificate for prescription sunglasses from “Maui Jim” eyewear at local distributor Eye Solutions on Dunmore Road.
That eyewear design company recognized O’Brien as part of its “Mahalo to Heroes” program.
“The biggest reward is just knowing that boy will still have a whole life to live,” he said.
O’Brien said he was fortunate to be offered first-aid training from his employer, the City of Medicine Hat’s gas distribution department, and that may have made the difference.
Amber Cushman, of Maui Jim, made the presentation of a gift certificate to use at Eye Solutions, which provided a free eye exam to tailor lenses for the frames of O’Brien’s choice.
Optometrist Brady Haslam said the local business was happy to take part.
“You just hear so many depressing things in the news that it’s nice to let people know about good things that happen and things that good people do,” he told the News.
The accident was reported in early November when a local fundraising effort raised about $8,900 for the family to help with expenses of travelling to Calgary hospital where the teen was airlifted.
The brothers had attempted to bike their way down the hillside stairs leading down from Monsignor McCoy High School towards Altawana Drive. The teen was thrown forward at high speed onto the stairs and suffered skull fractures, a broken neck, and several compound fractures.
