Kamloops RCMP Supt. Sydney Lecky awarded Jane Deelstra with a Certificate of Appreciation on Feb. 22, 2022.

Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Kamloops RCMP

Jane Deelstra didn't panic when her grandmother's vehicle veered off the road in Kamloops and into a tree.

Instead of waiting in the car with her grandmother unresponsive, Deelstra took action, and it caught the attention of Kamloops RCMP Supt. Sydney Lecky.

Deelstra's grandmother was driving westbound on the East Trans-Canada Highway on Feb. 19 around 3:30 p.m., when she had a medical episode along the Kokanee Way exit, crashing into trees, according to a Kamloops RCMP news release.

READ MORE: Melting snow reveals small rodents up to no good under this Kamloops lawn

“Her windshield was smashed and her eyes were open,” Deelstra said. “I was yelling to her and she wasn’t answering. I was smacking her super hard and she wasn’t answering.”

Deelstra, bruised but able to move, opened left the door of the badly damaged and tilted car and crossed the street to the nearest business.

“I said my grandma crashed in her car and it dug into the dirt,” Deelstra said in the release.

READ MORE: No jail time for Vernon grandmother guilty of defrauding charity

She stayed on the line with 911 dispatchers until police and ambulance showed up, then she accompanied her grandmother as she was taken to the hospital.

The story of Deelstra's actions after the crash stood out to Lecky, and he awarded her a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the Kamloops RCMP yesterday, Feb. 22.

“I heard the story and thought that was one of the most heroic things I have heard,” Lecky said to Deelstra. “The bravery that you showed for your grandma I thought needed a very special recognition… I hope that you’re able to tell your friends and be proud of it.”

READ MORE: Why medical training is key to reducing drug overdose deaths in B.C.

Deelstra's mother was shaken, but told police her daughter's bruised elbow is healing and she's gone back to being a kid. Deelstra's mother noted that while many might panic and stay in the vehicle, Deeltra knew what she had to do after the crash.

“I would like to be a cop and help save people,” Deelstra said.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2022