On the early morning of September 5, 2024, something happened on Highway 3A and 6 near Nelson, BC that changed one young man’s life forever — and reminded us all why first aid training matters.
At 6:00 AM, a 2010 Mazda 3 suddenly veered off the road, flipped over after hitting a large rock, and caught fire. The crash was violent and frightening — but what happened next was truly extraordinary.
Wein Rauch didn’t see the accident happen, but he was the first person to arrive at the scene. When he saw the car on fire with someone trapped inside, he didn’t hesitate. He broke the rear window, reached in, and pulled the driver out just as the flames were getting worse.
Only seconds later, John Usipuik arrived. He had seen the smoke while driving to work. Together, Wein and John dragged the injured driver to safety, away from the burning car — which continued to catch fire and even explode.
But the rescue wasn’t over yet.
Sara Cuthbert and Hannah Corfe, two nursing students on their way to their very first day of practicum, stopped to help. They knew what to do. Using their first aid training, they moved the driver even farther away from the danger and gave him medical care until emergency teams arrived.
Thanks to everyone’s quick thinking and courage, the young driver survived.
Why This Story Matters
What happened that morning is more than just a heroic rescue. It shows exactly why our mission — creating safer communities — depends on more people being trained in first aid.
- Wein and John were brave. But bravery alone isn’t always enough — especially when seconds count.
- Sara and Hannah’s first aid skills made sure the driver got the care he needed before paramedics arrived — and that might have made all the difference in his recovery.
When everyday people are trained in first aid, they become everyday heroes. They become life-savers. And the more of them we have in our communities, the safer all of us are.
Constable Adams of the Nelson RCMP, who investigated the crash, said it best:
“These four individuals are the reason the driver is alive today.”
That’s why all four — Wein Rauch, John Usipuik, Sara Cuthbert, and Hannah Corfe — were awarded with the St. John Ambulance Lifesaving Award. Their actions were not just heroic — they were life-saving.
