left to right: Area D Director Steve Forseth, Debbie Aschwanden, Josef Aschwanden, CRD Chair Al Richmond and CRD Wildwood VFD Chief Randy Worsley.

Williams Lake, B.C. – Nine year old Josef Aschwanden of Wildwood  is a hero.

Had it not been for his efforts,  his mother,  Debbie Aschwanden,  may not be alive.

Earlier this week, a 9-1-1 call was received at the Fire Operations Control Centre  requesting help for a woman trapped under an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), and that the woman was suffering from shortness of breath. The address was in the Cariboo Regional District’s (CRD) Wildwood Volunteer fire department boundaries, who responded immediately.

When they arrived on scene a nine year old boy was waving them down to help his mother. The woman had been unloading the ATV from her truck when the machine slipped back and landed on her.

Josef  and his mother had spoken about  how  to use the 9-1-1 service,  and he immediately  made the call.  He told them what happened, where they were (an address with directions) and the condition of his mother. Josef also wrapped his mother in a sleeping bag while she was trapped under the ATV to help keep her warm and stop hypothermia from setting in.

The Wildwood Volunteer VFD members, with the help of BC Ambulance Service were able to free the woman and she was then safely transported to hospital. Josef gathered up his mother’s belongings and travelled with her to hospital.

“Congratulations to Josef for learning about what to do in an emergency and being able to implement what he had learned from his parents about 9-1-1,” stated CRD Electoral Area D Director Steve Forseth. “This is a great example of how important it is for children of all ages, and families to learn about 9-1-1, and know how to use the system in any emergency situation.”

Josef  has been presented with a certificate of bravery for his actions.

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