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Students intervened in vicious assault

Cathy Dobson Five students have been commended for stepping up to rescue a victim and apprehend his assailant during a vicious assault at the Lambton College residence on Jan. 12.
LambHeroes
From left are: Rob Kardas, Lambton College’s VP of Academic & Student Success, students Winston Chan, Brielle McInnis, Dylan Climie, Kate Flanigan, Quinton Pluzak, and Sarnia Police Chief Norm Hansen. Facebook Image

Cathy Dobson

Five students have been commended for stepping up to rescue a victim and apprehend his assailant during a vicious assault at the Lambton College residence on Jan. 12.

Winston Chan, Brielle McInnis, Dylan Climie, Kate Flanigan and Quinton Pluzak were recognized by Sarnia Police Chief Norm Hansen last week.

Each was presented with a ‘Chief’s Coin,’ an honour reserved for exceptional conduct.

“These students saved a person and acted in an appropriate fashion,” said police spokesperson Const. John Sottosanti. “The way it was done, and the end result, impressed everyone, especially the chief.”

On Jan. 12 at 12:30 a.m. the students found the assailant punching a 28-year-old man, who was already unconscious, police said.

“Three of the students controlled the aggressor, another cared for the person knocked out, and another called 911,” Sottosanti said.

Police arrived and arrested a 19-year-old man. He was charged with assault causing bodily harm.

No names were released and the college wouldn’t confirm the victim was a Lambton student, citing privacy laws.

The five students who intervened did exactly the right thing, said Sottosanti.  “And they asked for it to be kept low key.

“They were pretty humble.”

Chief Hansen saw the police report and went to the college last week to personally thank the students and present them with the Chief’s Coin.

He gives out about a dozen each year to civilians and officers who “go above and beyond,” Sottosanti said.

“It’s a way for the chief to thank people when he believes there’s merit.”

The five students are dons at Lambton College’s London Road residence, college spokesperson Cindy Buchanan confirmed.

“We are very proud of the students who helped during the incident,” she said. “And we’re very pleased they were recognized by Sarnia Police for their quick response and help.”

Neither the college nor police notified the public about the incident. But a photo of the five students meeting the chief was posted to social media.

More than 600 people liked the photo and applauded the students for their quick actions.

“Congratulations for doing the right thing,” said one.  “Thank you for stepping up.”


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