Mansfield Teen Honored For Saving Elderly Man In Sweltering Heat

MANSFIELD, MA — A Mansfield High School senior was honored by the fire department and the selectmen for saving an elderly man during the most recent heat wave.

The heat index was over 100 when Ian Reddish was walking home from football practice last Wednesday. When he arrived home, he found an elderly man who was just released from a medical facility on the ground. The man's daughter and elderly wife were unable to help the man and 911 was called.

As they waited for emergency services to arrive, Reddish raised the fallen man’s upper body off tar, which eliminated a potential burn injury and maintained a calming influence on the family and patient, according to Chief Neal Boldrighini.

Reddish then assisted responders with moving the man inside and even his own shirt off and placed it on a hot metal rail so the patient would not burn himself.

Once inside, he stayed to make sure all was well and help in keeping the family calm, Boldrighini told the selectmen.

"The best part is that Ian did not know these people. He simply saw someone in need and stopped to help.
His actions this day provided a very positive result in what could have been a much more serious situation," Boldrighini said. "His actions this day provided a very positive result in what could have been a much more serious situation."

For his efforts, Reddish received the Young Hero Award.

Image via Shaun Debold/Mansfield Fire Department