Some things are bigger than football and little did the Edmonton Huskies know that a devastating semi-final loss to Saskatoon Hilltops on Sunday would be their second most important battle of the day.
According to reports, while driving home from their 33-31 playoff elimination the team — which plays in the Prairie Football Conference of the Canadian Junior Football League — encountered a motorcycle accident on the highway outside of Saskatoon. The motorcyclist had apparently collided with a deer and team trainers stopped the bus to deliver medical care until first responders could arrive.
The responding agency, Borden Fire and Rescue, published the following statement on their official Facebook page.
“At 17:47 we were toned out for a motorcycle vs deer call. We landed STARS [air ambulance] and they transported the patient. Borden Fire and Rescue would like to thank the Edmonton Huskies Football Team for stopping on the highway and the training staff for helping us stabilize the patient until Medivie arrived on scene. You folks were amazing to work with thank you for all of your help!”
According to initial reports, the motorcyclist is being monitored at a local hospital and is expected to recover, fortunate that the Huskies’ qualified personnel were at the scene.
“This shows the character of the young women and men that participate in our programs,” CJFL Commissioner Jim Pankovich said in a statement on the CJFL’s website. “Thank you very much to Huskies’ training staff that helped, going above and beyond expectations in their caring actions regarding this motor vehicle accident victim. Their actions made a difference this evening.”
The league has named trainers Cassidy Ku, Shawna Crozier and Randy Kueffer as those who delivered aid at the scene, while equipment manager Luca Cupelil was the johnny on the spot with the medical supplies and trauma kit. Defensive back Sheldon McNabb, himself studying to be a paramedic, also provided vital assistance.
