A Toronto police received CPR after killed by a stolen snowplow. Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair stated that the death of Sgt. Ryan Russell while trying to stop a stolen snowplow is a reminder of how dangerous work can be.

Unforeseen tragedy

The police were alerted around 5:30 AM that a privately-owned snowplow had been stolen from the Dundas and Parliament Streets area. Plow owner, Peter Tolias stated that somebody ran across the road with no shoes on and jumped in the truck and took off.

The police attempted to stop the vehicle after it was spotted driving erratically through the downtown core on Avenue Road, just north of Bloor Street.

At one point, the truck backed through the front window of a luxury car dealership near Avenue Road and Bloor Street before crashing into a taxicab. According to the taxi’s driver, the truck reportedly turned around and struck his cab again before continuing its journey northward.

Russell was hit by the snowplow at the intersection of Davenport and Avenue Roads. The collision left him pinned against his cruiser as he tried to bring the snowplow to a halt.

Fellow officers and EMS personnel tried to provide CPR at the scene as the officer lay on the snowy road with a terrible head injury. Rory O’Neill, one of the first paramedics to arrive on the scene, attempted to resuscitate Russell who was already without vital signs.

The paramedics rushed Russell to the trauma unit, but the 11-year police veteran’s life could not be saved.

Saving a life

The immediate delivery of life-saving techniques can make a difference. It is recommended to enroll in a first aid course to learn the essential skills including CPR.

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