Elijah Skoglund, 8, has received an award for heroism from the Lac La Biche County fire department after saving his two-year-old brother from a near-drowning last July.
The young Hylo resident was outside watching over his younger brother when he found him headfirst in a Rubbermaid bucket being used as a rain barrel. Elijah leaped into action, pulling his brother from the water-filled container, and brought him inside.
“It’s that alone that saved the boy’s life,” said Larry Baker, a county peace officer and fire fighter who presented the award along with fellow peace officer and fire fighter Brad Semeniuk during Central Elementary School’s Christmas concert on Dec. 16.
Elijah, who thought nothing of saving his brother, and didn’t consider the act anything special, had no idea he was to be honoured until the presentation started, said his dad, Dave Skoglund.
At the school concert, Skoglund was sitting in the audience when his son came up to him.
“Mr. Norton wanted me to come in for some reason,” Elijah told his dad, as he still didn’t know he was to be honoured with an award.
Skoglund, who remains proud of his son and his quick reaction to what could have been a tragic event, said Elijah seemed to take the whole thing in stride.
But the audience showed a little more reaction, as the gym full of parents erupted in applause.
“Every single parent was on their feet applauding this young man,” said Baker.
During the award presentation, Baker asked Elijah what went through his mind before he pulled his brother out of the rain barrel. The boy just knew he had to save his little brother, and did what was needed, said Baker, adding the low-key child shows a presence of mind well beyond his years.
“He’s a very mature young man,” said Baker.
In addition to the plaque recognizing his actions, Elijah was also offered the chance to be fire chief for a day, something his dad said Elijah was very excited about.
The young chief will be given a tour of the firehalls, as well as meeting the various chiefs and the mayor.
This is the first time an award for heroism has been given out by the fire department, said Baker, but it hopefully won’t be the last, adding that when people commit selfless acts to assist others, they deserve recognition.
