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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, May 10, 2013 | 4 Quick actions saved the life of a young man continued from p.1 "Officers involved in this incident demonstrated tenacity, determination and outstanding teamwork to capture a desperate individual without further threat to public safety," said Sgt. Dave Cross, police public affairs officer. Constables Harpreet Bhathal and Mark Vegso were also recognized for life-saving actions last year. On May 23, Bhathal, a high school liaison officer, received a call from Abbey Park High School staff about a student who had expressed suicidal thoughts and then fled school property. Bhathal and Vegso immediately went to the school where a passerby informed them a boy was hanging from a tree in a nearby wooded area. The officers were led to the site where they discovered the boy's lifeless body suspended from a branch with a belt around his neck. Vegso desperately tried to support the boy's weight by holding up his legs while Bhathal scaled the tree and cut the belt. The two officers began life-saving measures and were eventually assisted by other emergency personnel. The boy's condition was initially described as grave as he was unable to breathe without medical assistance. "Miraculously, over the next few days, the boy emerged from his coma and commenced breathing on his own. The following weeks saw the boy make what doctors termed, `a true miracle recovery,'" said Cross. "The successful outcome of this incident is directly attributed to the timely intervention and decisive actions of both officers who were instrumental in the saving of a young man's life." Oakville citizens who received awards included Anna-Mary Faraj. A week before Christmas, Faraj came to the aid of an elderly woman who had been mugged and injured in a parking lot at Oakville Place. "She chased down the suspect, confronted her physically and recovered the victim's property. She returned to the victim, left her name and later provided a full statement to police," said Cross. "Ms. Faraj's willingness to involve herself in an unknown confrontation speaks to her character and courage." Cam Roberts was singled out for his actions on July 21 when a private boat at the Oakville Power Boat Club exploded, injuring a man and woman onboard and catapulting the woman into the water. Roberts was first to arrive at the scene and immediately instructed the nearby gas attendant to shut down power to the gas pump. He and other bystanders pulled the woman from the water and then assisted the injured man, taking him away from the wreckage. Following the incident, Roberts provided video surveillance footage to investigators, which aided in determining the cause of the explosion. Cross said Roberts' quick thinking almost certainly prevented further tragedy. Melissa Murray was commended for her actions in January, which led to the arrest of an alleged thief. Earlier in the month, Murray's vehicle had been broken into while parked outside a fitness club on Cross Avenue. When Murray returned, she saw a suspicious man and vehicle in the area, but at the time, couldn't provide a description. A week later, she was at the club again and saw what she believed was the same suspicious vehicle. Murray went inside the fitness club see Citizens on p.5 Halton police Const. Tara McLorn and police dog Parker were in good company at the recent Halton Regional Police Service Awards ceremony. photo by Riziero Vertolli ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog) risk from the Alert: Your ash trees may be at Pre-K to Grade 12 Grammar Emerald Ash Borer ® TruGreen, Canada's leading lawn and tree care company, has been contracted to treat ash trees on public lands in the Town of Oakville from June through August. The Best s Come From Understanding Approach the process of learning properly and you wind up creating more than hard-working students with good marks. You build motivated, self-assured, independent thinkers who really understand what they learn. That means better grades...on every test, in every subject, and on every report card. A' Reading Study Skills Writing Homework Math French Call today, or visit oxfordlearning.com Oakville South 905.849.4027 oakvillesouth@oxfordlearning.com Oakville North East 905.257.1207 oakvillene@oxfordlearning.com Oakville North 905.469.1929 oakville@oxfordlearning.com Ash trees in the Oakville area may be at risk from Emerald Ash Borer, an invasive pest that destroys ash trees if left untreated. Avoid the costs of removal and replacement by treating your ash trees today with help from TruGreen. Special pricing available for Oakville residents. Call or visit TruGreen online for details. 1-866-294-7962 TruGreen.ca Learn more about protecting your ash trees. Join the Oakville Canopy Club. For more information visit oakville.ca