Local hero recognized by council

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At its regular meeting on Monday, council presented a certificate of recognition to an Uxbridge resident for his heroic efforts in saving the life of a teenager.

Nelson Windsor discovered a crashed vehicle on Zephyr Road last November and stopped to check the scene. He found 18-year-old William Balsdon lying in a ditch, covered in blood, having been ejected from the vehicle in the accident. William's sister, Stacii, said Windsor gave her brother CPR and called 911.

Stacii Balsdon of Goodwood said her brother was taken to hospital where medical staff told her William had a seven per cent chance of surviving and a 90 per cent chance of being in a "vegetative state" for the rest of his life if he did live. She said William was in a coma for three weeks. After having surgery on his brain as well as treatment for a broken collar bone and an injury to his spleen, William was in hospital from November to January and then spent time in rehabilitation until February.

Stacii Balsdon said Windsor came to the hospital to check on William's progress, brought him Christmas presents and has been to several family events since the accident.

"He's part of the family now," she said.

She said her son and Windsor's son are in the same class at school. Additionally, Williams wanted to train to be a heavy equipment mechanic and Windsor works for Caterpillar, which will arrange an apprenticeship for Williams when he is fully recovered.

The Township presented Windsor with his certificate of recognition after Stacii contacted them about Windsor's actions.