Details in this story may be disturbing to some readers. Discretion is advised.
A Botwood woman who suffered an amputation is crediting her neighbour for saving her life following a devastating accident back in May.
Gary Regular heard his neighbour Judy Newhook’s cries and rushed over to apply a tourniquet to staunch the bleeding after she accidentally sawed her hand off, while cutting moulding for her bathroom.
Newhook says she has used a power saw her entire life, and has always practiced good safety—but somehow, the worst happened.
She was cutting the last two pieces when she noticed something fly up over the top of the saw. She thought it was a piece of board, but it was her hand.
Newhook’s hand was put on ice, and Regular applied a tourniquet. She was rushed to Botwood, and airlifted to St. John’s where she underwent emergency surgery.
The hand was reattached, but ultimately couldn’t be saved.
She applied to have Gary Regular recognized for an act of bravery, but he was declined, because his life was not threatened.
Newhook instead turned to VOCM Open Line to credit her neighbour’s quick actions, and to have him recognized provincially.
She underwent extensive rehabilitation at the Miller Centre and is doing well, despite the trauma. She also credits the health care system for working to put a navigator in place for amputees, similar to those available for cancer patients.
St. John Ambulance Life Saving Award Likely
(St. John Ambulance life saving award ceremony. VOCM File Photo.)
Roberta Hewitt of St. John Ambulance says she’s fairly certain that Regular will be recognized with a St. John Ambulance Life Saving Award for his actions.
She reviewed Newhook’s application, and while it still has to be reviewed nationally, she fairly certain that Regular will be invested in May.
Hewitt also tips her hat to Parker Upshall, a Grade 4 student who saved his buddy’s life when he noticed him choking at Holy Trinity Elementary in Torbay back in January.
Hewitt says they’re working on making sure that Upshall is also recognized for his quick thinking.
(Parker Upshall receives a Certificate of Bravery from the Torbay Council. Upshall then demonstrates a life-saving maneuver on Mayor Craig Scott.)
