Ontario Provincial Police held the East Region Annual Awards Ceremony in Kingston, October 19, and among those receiving the awards was a well known local – Bill Ewing.
Ewing, who lives in Iroquois and operates his business, Bill’s Towing, in South Dundas was the recipient of a Commissioner’s Commendation from the OPP. Also receiving a commendation was towing operator Duncan Cooper of Cornwall Towing.
“This was totally unexpected,” said Ewing. “I was just out there doing what I had to do. But, it is nice to be recognized.”
The commendation stemmed from Ewing’s actions during difficult circumstances, at the scene of a fatal collision along Highway 401 in South Dundas, August 27, 2012. The collision of a van with a tractor trailer and ensuing fire claimed the life of three family members including a two month old infant, the infant’s 22 year old mother and the mother’s 78 year old grandmother. Three other occupants of the van, also members of the Quebec family, were taken to hospital seriously injured.
The commendation was in recognition of Ewing’s outstanding assistance to the OPP at the scene of that collision where the two vehicles had become fused together, requiring Ewing’s expertise to prepare the vehicles for removal.
Ewing’s expertise comes from 35 years with the Iroquois station of the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Service, where he has received extrication training, and from eight years of owning and operating a towing business.
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