'They did the right thing': Edmonton Huskies provide aid to motorcyclist injured in Saskatchewan

EDMONTON -

The Edmonton Huskies were on their way home from a semifinal game in Saskatchewan when they unexpectedly had to pullover and assist a motorcyclist involved in a crash.

The incident occurred on Sunday, when the team was about 30 minutes outside Saskatoon near the Village of Borden.

When they noticed the man on the side of the road, two trainers jumped into action to help.

According to Capt. Jamie Brandrick from Borden Fire and Rescue, when crews arrived on scene there were so many vehicles stopped on either side of the road they weren’t sure where exactly the incident was.

“We saw that another group of people were gathered around the person so I asked them and said, ‘You’re with the bus? And they said they were with the Edmonton Huskies.’”

“They stayed and assisted us,” Brandrick added.

In order to make room for STARS to land, Brandrick said 17 firefighters were called in to clear traffic. Three stayed to help assist the Huskies trainers provide aid.

'WE JUST WANTED TO HELP'

Jason Lorrimer, Huskies general manager, described arriving at the scene of the accident, saying there were people already pulling over and trying to help.

“It was chaotic,” Lorrimer said. “You could see people on their phones calling 911.

“I assessed the situation real quick thinking, if something needs to be moved, I’ve got 40 strong, strong guys that can move anything we need and trainers who can deal with trauma.”

The team quickly agreed that they needed to help, gathered their medical and first aid equipment, and started triaging.

“Immediately, we were all ready to help,” said Randy Kuefler, athletic therapist. “We got off the bus to help out as fast as we could.”

Some of the Huskies Football team staff who sprung into action to help an injured motorcyclist. Sheldon McNabb, far left, is studying to be a paramedic and plays defensive back. Athletic therapist Cassidy Ku (middle), General Manager Jason Lorrimer (second to the right), and athletic therapist Randy Kuefler (far right) helped emergency crews.

Sheldon McNabb, defensive back for the Huskies, is training to become a paramedic. He joined the trainers as they helped the injured motorcyclist, having completed his practicum before the season and even attending other motorcycle injury calls.

“I helped strap him on the spine board,” McNabb said. “I just helped wherever I could.

“Just before football, I had doubts about (being a paramedic),” he added. “With the situation that happened, it might be a bit of a sign that I should keep going with it and finish it off and take that path.”

The football team updated firefighters once they arrived on scene and were even asked by emergency crews to stay and continue helping.

“We just wanted to make sure he was good and safe and going home to his family,” Lorrimer added.

“My staff is incredible. They take head trauma, neck trauma to the next level,” he said.

'IT REALLY HELPS US DO OUR JOB'

Brandrick told CTV News Edmonton it was helpful to have the Huskies there first because they can “assess the situation” and “provide feedback” on what’s happening and what they’ve done.

“They were there, they did the right thing,” he noted.

“They kept the person laying face down on the highway until we arrived with our backboard and then we were able to as a team, all five of us were able to roll him onto the backboard and then take the helmet off and proceed to put the collar on.”

According to Brandrick, he thanked the team for their help and even gave them a “fist pump.”

“Going on scene and having trainers and people who have some background with injuries like this it really helps us do our job a lot quicker and a lot easier,” Brandrick explained.

“Terrible scene, terrible situation how we had to meet but very thankful they were on scene when they were.”

Brandrick said the man did sustain some minor injuries but “his daughter messaged the Facebook group and said he’s going to be OK.”

CTV News has reached out to the Huskies for comment.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Carlyle Fiset