ENDICOTT – Three Oxford residents were honored by the Southern Tier Chapter of The American Red Cross as for their heroic efforts.
The 6th Annual Real Heroes Breakfast was held last month, and three of the 16 who were recognized for their heroic actions live in Oxford.
“None of our heroes knew exactly what they were happening upon, nor did they care. Their sole concern was that something was wrong and they each had a personal inclination to act for the better of all,” said Oxford Police Chief Richard Nolan.
Per the Red Cross website, “The Real Heroes Breakfast celebrates the Red Cross mission of alleviating human suffering by recognizing residents from Broome, Chenango and Tioga counties who in the past year performed heroic acts in life-threatening situations. Proceeds from the Real Heroes Breakfast support Red Cross lifesaving services such as disaster response, preparedness education, and service to members of our Armed Forces.”
The three – Cole Samsel, Jesse Gates and Margot Barrows – were each honored for their involvement in a joint attempt to safe the life of an elderly community member who was suffering.
It was on Dec. 23, 2014 when off duty Oxford Police Officer Samsel observed an incident involving multiple vehicles on South Canal St. in Oxford. According to Chief Nolan, Samsel had an inclination to stop and investigate the situation. Samsel found – upon approaching the vehicles – that two drivers, Margo Barrows and Jesse Gates, observed an elderly female driving erratically on the roadway.
Barrows is an Oxford High School physical education teacher and Gates is a 17-year-old Oxford Academy High School senior.
Jesse Gates, a high school senior was awarded the Good Samaritan Youth Award. Gates observed the elderly driver acting strangely and knew something was wrong. Instinctively and without concern for his own life Gates coordinated with fellow driver and Oxford High School physical education teacher Margo Barrows to position their vehicles in a way that would stop the vehicle of the elderly driver. Gates passed the vehicle and then pulled his truck in front of the driver's car while Barrows blocked the vehicle in from the back, effectively stopping the driver and allowing her to receive medical attention.
Margo Barrows was awarded the Educator Award for her involvement in stopping the vehicle of the driver, but also for displaying a unique sense of compassion for the victim. Barrows acted swiftly and contacted the family of the victim while also reaching out to the local pharmacy to find out what medicines the driver might be taking, allowing for more accurate and prompt medical care. Barrows stood by the driver along with Gates at a very emotionally trying time.
Additionally, Off-duty Oxford Police Officer Cole Samsel was awarded the Law Enforcement Award for his involvement. Officer Samsel, off-duty with his girlfriend, observed Gates and Barrows on the shoulder of the road with another driver. Officer Samsel said he instinctively felt that something was not right and stopped to help, without hesitation. Upon approaching the driver's vehicle, Officer Samsel observed signs of Ketosis, signaling that the driver was suffering from a serious medical emergency. Officer Samsel employed his training and immediately went into action, coaching the driver to put the vehicle in park.
At the same time, Officer Samsel coordinated with dispatch to request an EMS and worked alongside Gates and Barrows to keep the driver alert. When EMS arrived, Officer Samsel moved the driver's vehicle and its belongings to a secure location and provided a key to the family to ensure access to such items. Later that night, Officer Samsel and his girlfriend visited the driver at the hospital.
"I am extremely proud of our three local heroes for each of their individual acts of heroism that they displayed on Dec. 23, 2014, said Chief Nolan. “While each of their stories are different and each come from different walks in life, they are united in the great level of compassion, quick thinking, and bravery showcased on that day.”
Pen Farthing, former Royal Marine Commando and founder of Nowzad Dogs, was the Real Heroes Breakfast guest speaker the day of the event. “Inspired by a dog he adopted while on duty in Afghanistan, Farthing started Nowzad Dogs, a nonprofit organization that reunites soldiers with stray dogs and cats they adopted during combat,” read a release about the event.
“Nowzad’s motto is “Leave no four-legged buddy behind,” and it has so far reunited about 750 soldiers with the dogs or cats they adopted while on duty. In 2014, Farthing received the CNN Hero of the Year Award for his work with Nowzad Dogs,” continued the release on the event.
“Unfortunately, the driver passed away in the coming weeks,” said Nolan regarding what happened last December. “But, what our heroes did not know at the time was that their actions enabled the driver to spend Christmas with her friends and family by her side."