Tye Sanderson is only eight years old, but May 24 will likely stick with him as one of the worst days of his life.
It was on his way home from Elora Public School that day – his first time walking home from school on his own – that Sanderson was hit by a Ford Fusion coming out of a stop sign.
“It was very scary, the most frightening time of my life,” said father John Cox.
Sanderson’s injuries were minor, but he was trapped under the vehicle.
Firefighters were called in to lift the vehicle up so that Sanderson could be freed.
But worst of all, paramedics had to cut open his Pittsburgh Penguins jersey to ensure he was OK.
“He was more concerned about the jersey and it getting ruined than his own injuries,” said Wellington County OPP Insp. Scott Lawson.
Three weeks later, OPP decided to replace the jersey with something even more special.
Police, paramedics and Sanderson’s parents were on hand Friday at Elora Public School as Sanderson was presented with an autographed Sidney Crosby jersey.
“We knew we had a lot of support and we knew people were looking out for Tye,” said Cox.
Not lost among the pomp and circumstance was an important message about safety, as everyone knew Sanderson’s situation could have been much worse.
“Parents really need to drill into their kids’ heads (to) always look both ways and stop if they’re unsure,” said mother Shannon Cox.
“At some point you have to trust in your children and let them go.”
Sanderson says he has another Penguins jersey he can wear to school – allowing the new one to be stowed away for safe-keeping.
CTV's Rosie Del Campo will have more on this story tonight on CTV News at Six.
