Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
November 8 , 2000
Holy Family student honored as `community hero'
By Frank Evans
Holy Family junior, Luis Silva received a standing ovation at the Thornton City Council meeting last week after receiving the City of Thornton Fire Department's "Community Heroism Award" for Excellence in Citizenship.
Taking part in the plaque presentation were Thornton Mayor Pro Tem, Carol Norberg; Thornton Fire Chief, Greg Sheehan; and Thornton Fire Department Education Officer, Elise Bennett. Silva is the first person to receive this prestigious award.
Bennett praised the 16 year-old Silva for his heroic spirit and courageous effort in providing vital assistance to the community by his intervention as an interpreter to a Spanish speaking family involved in a car crash on Labor Day.
"He was definitely an asset to the Fire Department and State Patrol following the accident and maintained his composure during this intense period," she said. "Those of us with the Thornton Fire Department congratulate Luis on his participation. In fact, she added, "members of Fire Station 74 wanted to be here tonight for this honor but a training schedule kept them from attending."
Following the ceremony, Luis's mother praised her son. "I'm very proud of Luis and what he did," she said. "I know he didn't expect this much publicity." Silva added, "I really don't believe that I should be getting anything. All I did was serve as a translator for the Spanish speaking people hurt in the accident. I tried to help in anyway that I could." He added, "I think that anyone else would have done the same thing."
It was late afternoon on Labor Day and Luis was heading home after helping his aunt unpack. She had just moved into a new home.
"At about 136th and Holly, I saw a large group of people surrounding the scene of a car crash. I stopped my car and ran over to see if I could help. It was awful," Luis said.
Just moments before Silva arrived on the scene, an 8-year-old girl died when she was ejected from a 1999 Ford Expedition after it went out of control and rolled over in the 14000 block of Holly street. The eight victims injured in the accident were rushed to three hospitals. To date, all have been released except a nine-year old and 11-year-old girl. Both are still patients at Children's Hospital.
When Silva approached the vehicle, he saw a woman holding a little girl in her arms. "At first glance I knew she was badly hurt. I recall looking for anything I could use to cover the little girl so the woman wouldn't have to look at her," he said. "I ran to my car and grabbed a coat from the back seat and gave it to the lady."
"I had never seen anything like this," Silva said. Looking around Silva saw firemen, State Patrol, and medics, trying to save the life of the little girl and everyone who was in the car. Seconds later, a helicopter landed and the medics took the child to Children's Hospital.
Fireman Michael McCabe, stationed with Station 74 in Thornton was administering first aid to another little girl. He commented on Luis' involvement. "I looked up and saw this young man speaking Spanish to the injured. The State Patrol officer asked Luis to ask the injured for their names, ages and to ask where everyone was in the car."
According to McCabe, "Luis was a valuable tool for all of us. His ability to speak Spanish and translate our questions to the victims and receive answers was surely appreciated." He continued, "In my 18 years as a Fireman this scene resembled a battlefield. And yet, Luis was able to keep control of his feelings, overcame the stressful moments we were all under - and do his job."
He added, "To see a 16-year-old step forward and get involved, and perform as he did deserves praise. We could not have done it without him." McCabe stated that in a casualty situation such as this, the medical team attempts to transport the victims to area hospitals within 20 minutes. "Without Luis' help we never would have been able to get the eight victims off the scene as fast as we did," he said. Luis stayed on the scene for 45 minutes answering question for the State Patrol.
"An additional sad note concerning the accident," said Luis, "was that the people don't live near here, and the little girl was a neighbor. She had just received permission to go with them."
