A Saskatoon teacher who was hospitalized last week after helping a student who was set on fire has been released from hospital and is recuperating at home, Saskatoon Public Schools (SPS) officials confirmed.
Evan Hardy College students and colleagues of Sean Hayes say he acted heroically and want him to know they are thinking of him.
“The injured teacher is at home recovering and recovering. He is taking time for himself and looks forward to being able to return,” SPS communications director Colleen Cameron said in an email.
Police said a 14-year-old girl is accused of pouring liquid on a 15-year-old classmate and setting him on fire around noon last Thursday. The 14-year-old’s lawyer appeared in provincial court on Wednesday and asked for a one-week adjournment to hear details of the charges.
The girl has been charged with arson, aggravated assault and attempted murder and will be remanded in custody until at least September 18, when she is due to appear in court again.
Students interviewed by CBC News said they heard a witness yell “fire!” and teachers rushed to the scene, with Hayes and another teacher using jackets and other materials to put out the flames.
A 14-year-old girl allegedly set a 15-year-old girl on fire at Evan Hardy College in Saskatoon on Thursday, sending the girl to hospital with serious injuries. Lexie Sparbia and Sophie Hubbard are Grade 9 students at Evan Hardy and witnessed part of the incident. They spoke to media on Friday.
The girl was taken to Royal University Hospital and then flown to Edmonton, where she remains hospitalized. Family members are optimistic she will continue to improve, but say it will be a long recovery.
Hayes was also injured in the incident and taken to hospital but has since been released.
Separate online fundraisers for the girl and Mr Hayes have helped with costs, with more than $90,000 donated between them.
“During this crisis, Mr. Hayes has shown extraordinary courage and selflessness, risking his own safety to keep students safe,” Hayes’ friend Allie Cameron wrote in a post on the fundraising page.
“Mr. Hayes has always been a pillar of support and care for our students, and his quick thinking during this emergency situation truly highlights his extraordinary character. His heroic actions are truly extraordinary and embody the best of what it means to be an educator.”
The school was closed after Thursday’s incident but resumed classes on Tuesday. Students said returning to school was difficult but they felt safe and supported by teachers, counselors, police and therapy dogs.
Students at Evan Hardy College returned to school on Tuesday after a student was seriously injured in an incident on Sept. 5 when a classmate allegedly set her on fire. Police, counselors and therapy dogs were all on hand as students prepared to resume learning. Teens wore purple in memory of the victim.
