10 HEROES HONOURED FOR SAVING LIVES

(Sept 9th)

Ten Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who stepped forward during life-threatening emergencies will be recognized today by St. John Ambulance for their extraordinary actions that helped save the lives of others.

The Silver Life-Saving Awards will be presented at the annual St. John Ambulance Investiture and Life-Saving Awards Ceremony, taking place at 2:00 p.m. at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in St. John’s.

The recipients are being recognized for performing CPR, using an AED, responding to choking emergencies and providing critical assistance until paramedics and other emergency responders arrived.

Among those receiving awards are Charlotte Cook, who discovered a friend unconscious and without vital signs at her home in July 2025. Cook called 911 and, following instructions from an emergency dispatcher, performed CPR for approximately 15 minutes until paramedics arrived.

Nicole Garrett is also being recognized after witnessing a man collapse and stop breathing in the Costco parking lot in January 2024. Garrett immediately began CPR while another bystander retrieved an AED. She then applied and used the device as part of the lifesaving response.

Anna Mesh saved her 16-year-old twin brother, Aaron, after he began choking and could not breathe in February 2025. Mesh immediately performed abdominal thrusts, successfully clearing the obstruction.

Makenzie Roberts responded to a choking emergency involving her mother in February 2026. After her mother became unable to breathe or speak due to a complete airway obstruction, Roberts performed back blows followed by abdominal thrusts, successfully restoring her mother’s airway.

Shelley Squibb is being recognized for responding when a friend’s family member suddenly became unresponsive and stopped breathing in August 2025. Squibb immediately began CPR and continued providing care until the woman’s breathing and consciousness were restored before paramedics arrived.

Three others, Constable Carley Matheson, Dathan Anthony and Charles Hynes, worked together after a man collapsed in the parking lot of Coastal Marine Supplies in Mount Pearl in April 2026. The trio maintained CPR for approximately ten minutes until firefighters and paramedics arrived. The man’s pulse was restored, and he later made a full recovery.

Donna Parsley and James McCarthy are also among the recipients for their actions during a life-threatening medical emergency at a man’s home in March 2023. Parsley performed CPR after the unresponsive man was moved into a position where care could be provided, while McCarthy assisted and prepared for emergency medical personnel to arrive. The man’s breathing was restored before he was transported to Carbonear General Hospital for further treatment.

The Silver Life-Saving Awards recognize individuals whose quick actions and willingness to respond in critical moments played an important role in helping save lives.