Cindy Ellen Morgan said her good-byes to her father as he passed away in April 2012 – something she says she would not have been able to do if it weren’t for the decisive actions of Trent University students who were in the area when he got into a car accident.

Well trained in emergency response, it was a good thing that these particular students were nearby. Three were going out grocery shopping and another was in her car at the intersection of Parkhill Road and Reid Street when the accident happened. They worked together quickly to make assessments and perform procedures to resuscitate Mr. Morgan. When fire and EMS arrived, students handed over control of the situation and remained to assist and provide information while comforting Mrs. Morgan who was also injured in the accident. Mrs. Morgan is expected to recover fully.

Cindy Ellen came to the Trent campus on May 8, 2012, to meet with the students who helped her father and mother and to thank them in person.

A total of five Trent students responded to the emergency and offered their assistance in the situation. The three grocery shoppers happened to be members of the Trent University Emergency First Response Team (TUEFRT), which provides emergency medical care in situations on the University campus as part of a tiered response with EMS and Fire Services.

Ethan Brunton is both a first responder with TUEFRT and a Red Cross first aid instructor, working towards a Psychology degree at Trent, with which he plans to go into policing. Mr. Brunton was one of the two students who assessed the situation and performed CPR.

“This is another example of why it’s useful to learn and practice CPR time and time again,” said Mr. Brunton.

Gregory Lau is trained to the level of emergency medical responder and is also working towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in the compressed nursing program at the Trent/Fleming School of Nursing. He is also a first aid and first responder instructor with the Red Cross.

“It is interesting to see how the things we have been taught are born out,” said Mr. Lau. “Being able to buy Mr. Morgan some time to be with his family was eye opening and affirming,” he added.

Tom Colucci is a lifeguard and first responder and was a lifesaving and emergency first aid instructor with the Lifesaving Society. He has been on the TUEFRT team for four years.

Two other students were not on campus for the summer and unavailable to comment.

“On behalf of the TUEFRT Governing Board, I would like to commend Ethan, Gregory, Tom, as well as the other attending students for their quick reactions during this difficult situation. TUEFRT has delivered life saving medical assistance to the Trent community for almost 20 years. This incident is prime example of not only how important TUEFRT is to the Trent community, but also to the greater Peterborough community,” said Matt McGill, chair of the Governing Board of TUEFRT and security manager at Trent University.

Cindy Ellen also added, "Hearing about the actions of the students on the day of the accident, and now meeting two of them, it's clear to me that they have not only chosen to serve in the helping professions, but have true vocations. They put themselves out there, not for recognition or reward, but because it was the right thing to do. I feel certain they will help many, many more people during their careers."

The Morgan family has decided to make a memorial donation to the School of Nursing Bursary at Trent University and have asked that all memorial donations in Mr. Morgan’s honour be directed there. They will also be making a donation in support of TUEFRT.

The School of Nursing Bursary at Trent University was established by faculty, staff and friends of the School of Nursing, to be awarded to a full-time student enrolled in his or her second year in the School of Nursing, who is currently working part-time. Donations may be made online www.trentu.ca/givingtotrent

TUEFRT is a volunteer organization which runs 24/7 during the academic year to provide first response to any medical situation on Symons Campus. Personnel are trained first responders to the standards of Red Cross and will respond to any medical emergency no matter the severity. TUEFRT does not replace EMS but does provide a response time which currently at three minutes.