CORNWALL, Ontario – The last thing Randy Robertson can remember before waking up in an Ottawa hospital bed is the fire truck he was driving starting to “shimmy” a little bit.
The next few hours are lost to the South Glengarry firefighter who miraculously survived an accident on a snow-covered Highway 401 that saw the tanker truck he was driving roll several times before coming to a stop.
Robertson, in his first interview since the ordeal began Feb. 6, said his faith in God, and the seat belt that saved his life, has never been stronger.
“I think that God has something more planned for me,” he repeated during a one-on-one session from his Lancaster home. “There is something else out there for me to do.”
First on the list will be recovery. His injuries read like a laundry list of life-threatening ailments: a collapsed lung, broken shoulder, broken collar bone, broken vertebrae, internal bleeding and a deep gash on his head. A chest tube had also been inserted.
Now Robertson’s home is slowly but surely being renovated to allow for his new reality. Support rails are being installed in his bathroom so that he can effectively enter and exit the shower.
His wife Debbie Julien had to rush out the day before he left the hospital to secure an electric bed – he must sleep at a 45-degree angle to alleviate the stress on his badly injured back.
Robertson, a humble man to be sure, has seen only one photograph from the accident, which shows the tanker truck he was driving destroyed on the side of the highway.
“I didn’t realize how much my life was in danger” until viewing the photograph, he said. “I didn’t think (the accident) was that bad. All I remember is the little shimmy.
“The only thing that kept me in there was the seat belt. If I hadn’t put it on I wouldn’t be talking with you right now.”
The community has rallied around the popular firefighter. The South Glengarry Station 4 Firefighter Association will be hosting a spaghetti supper fundraiser as well as a silent auction for Robertson on Sunday, Feb. 21, at the Legion Hall in Lancaster from 4 to 7 p.m.
Robertson had just been laid off a job, and was set to start another one on Feb. 8 – the Monday following the accident. Now he’s not sure if he’ll be filing for employment insurance, or a Workplace Safety Insurance Board form.
Robertson said the community response has been like a tidal wave.
“It’s overwhelming,” he said. “I’m a humble guy. I’m more of a giver than a taker. I’ve got a funny feeling there will be a few tears (at the benefit). I’m going to have to bring some Kleenex.”
There has been talk of having Robertson become an advocate of seat belt use, be it for the general public or other firefighters, so that more people can survive potentially deadly traffic accidents.
“I believe that everything happens for a reason,” he said. “Maybe that’s what this is.”
