Police Chief Recognizes Local Hero
By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The July meeting of the Cobourg Police Services Board opened with Chief Paul VandeGraaf honouring a citizen who saved a child’s life not once but twice.
VandeGraaf described 34-year-old Brad Trumper as “a community member who didn’t ask, ‘who’s helping’ but instead jumped in to help.”
He recounted the events of June 20, which have previously been reported in Today’s Northumberland, an account which described Trumper preparing for a paddle board class by the accessibility dock when a three-year-old boy jumped off nearby and sank.
Trumper immediately jumped in and pulled him out. He described “doing back-blows on him” until he was spitting up water. He took the opportunity to give the father a lifejacket for the child and adjust it properly.
He then spotted the father and son walking into the water, and he heard the kid screaming for help again – he rushed over and helped both of them out.
Emergency services arrived and took them to the hospital. Both were later released, and the father was later charged with failing to provide the necessities of life, uttering threats and public intoxication.
“It’s something really good that happened in our community in a situation where it could be a tragic story,” Chief VandeGraaf said in presenting Trumper with a Community Appreciation and Chief’s Accommodation certificate.
