As large portions of the western and central United States along with regions across Western Europe and Central Asia face dangerous and record-breaking heatwaves, a 14-year-old Arizona teen's quick thinking has created headlines and awareness. An Arizona fire department will be formally honouring Royal Cothrun who helped save an elderly woman with dementia after she wandered miles off course amid potentially lethal temperatures, saying the teenager demonstrated "heroism... quick thinking and compassion."
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Cothrun was riding his bicycle in June in the town of Gilbert when he encountered Theresa Morgan as she struggled to walk through 103F heat with a grocery bag hanging off one arm and a purse on the other, as per authorities as well as reports by the local news outlet KNXV. He later told KNXV that he slowed down to speak to Morgan because “she just looked like something was wrong”.
It turned out that Morgan, who turned 76 in July, had recently been diagnosed with dementia. She had become disoriented on her way home from visiting a grocery store, which constituted a serious emergency given that being in heat over 100F for an extended time can cause life-threatening illness.
“I don’t think there’s any apartments around here – I can tell you that,” Cothrun could be heard saying in a video of the ensuing conversation with Morgan, which his smart glasses captured. “Yeah, I could look it up on my phone if you want me to.”
Cothrun eventually accompanied the woman to some shade, where he helped her remember her son’s telephone number. He then called her son, Jeff Morgan, and let him know about the situation with Theresa. The boy stayed with Theresa until Jeff and Gilbert’s fire and rescue department arrived to take over and get her to safety.
In a report published on July 9, Jeff told the outlet that he believed that Cothrun's kindness may have actually saved his mother's life. “It’s incredible, really, what he did,” Jeff said to KNXV. “Just so lucky, so fortunate, that he ran across her and he cared enough to stay with her and to take care of her.”
Heatwaves and confusion
The climate crisis-driven heatwave has scorched parts of the US with record temperatures in Jun through early July and has led to the deaths of at least two dozen people, according to the information released by officials. In a statement made to the Guardian, the Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department explained that confusion or sudden disorientation is a serious warning sign that someone may be on the verge of heatstroke, which can be fatal if not addressed properly.
If you encounter a person who seems disoriented or confused, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. While waiting for help, move the person to a cool, shaded area, remove unnecessary clothing and try to cool their body with ice packs on the neck or by fanning or misting them with water. Avoid giving them fluids or fever-reducing medications as these can cause choking and other complications.
A battalion chief with the department added that the agency was “proud to recognise Royal’s heroism” and planned to honour him at an 11 August town council meeting. “Royal’s quick thinking and compassion not only protected a vulnerable member of our community – but also highlighted the real dangers posed by Arizona’s extreme heat,” Ryan McHugh, the Gilbert fire and rescue battalion chief, said. “His actions remind us all to stay alert and look out for one another, especially during the summer months when heat-related illnesses can become life-threatening.”
