At 11, a calm hero
Published: August 25, 2006
As he watched his grandfather struggle to breathe, 11-year-old Godfrey Wignarajah didn’t panic. He picked up the phone and called 911.
“I was scared. My grandfather might die. I was nervous,” Godfrey said yesterday.
When paramedics arrived at the Scarborough apartment they found a calm, composed child trying to save his grandfather. Unfortunately, his grandfather, Benjamin James Wignarajah, 67, died from cardiac arrest, but paramedics were so impressed with how Godfrey handled the situation they gave him a Toronto Emergency Medical Services Citizen’s Award yesterday. “We walked through the door and Godfrey is leaning over his grandfather doing compressions on his chest,” said paramedic Craig Wilson.
Godfrey was alone with his grandfather at his grandfather’s apartment on July 10. When the man started to cough, he told his grandson to call his parents. Godfrey knew his parents were not at home, so he called 911.
Godfrey, who is about to start Grade 6 at St. Richard Catholic School, said he has never seen anyone perform CPR before.
“I saw people doing it on television, but that’s only fiction.”
Godfrey was surrounded by his family as he accepted the certificate at the Toronto Emergency Services headquarters.
“This lets the community know we appreciate their efforts,” said David Ralph, manager of EMS education.
People need to get involved and call 911 when they see that someone is hurt, whether it’s on the street or in their home, Ralph said. He said children should be told the address of the location where they are, whether it’s their own home or a friend’s or babysitter’s home, should they have to report an emergency.
Godfrey said his Grade 4 teacher taught the class to call 911.
Lorna Kelly was the emergency medical dispatcher who answered Godfrey’s call. “It’s not very often you remember them, but this one stands out,” Kelly said, explaining the child was calm as he listened to her instructions and began CPR.
“He was amazing,” Kelly said, explaining most people are too nervous or distraught to follow directions.
Godfrey’s parents arrived at the apartment house shortly after the paramedics.
“A police officer was there,” said Godfrey’s father Harold Wignarajah. “He said, `Your son did a great job.’”
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