CPR Helps Save Toronto Man After Devastating Diving Accident
A tragic diving accident in Sudbury serves as a powerful reminder of how quickly emergencies can happen—and how lifesaving CPR skills can be when every second counts.
On August 19, 28-year-old Beau Hayward of Toronto suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury after diving into a lake at a friend’s cottage. Beau struck his head on the sandy bottom, causing severe trauma to his neck and spine.
You can read the original CBC News report here:
👉 Toronto man suffers serious spinal cord injury in Sudbury diving accident
A Split-Second Impact With Life-Changing Consequences
According to his sister, Bianca Wilson, the impact crushed Beau’s C5 vertebra into six pieces and also fractured his C4 and C6 vertebrae. Although his spinal cord was not severed, the force of the injury compressed it significantly—leaving him floating face-up and unable to move.
Two friends noticed Beau in distress and immediately pulled him from the water. One of them had learned CPR less than a month earlier during a workplace safety course. Relying on that recent training, he performed CPR, helping Beau release water from his lungs and restore his breathing until paramedics arrived.
Their quick actions helped keep Beau alive long enough to reach advanced medical care.
Emergency Care and a Long Road to Recovery
Beau was rushed to hospital in Sudbury, where he stayed in the ICU. Surgeons successfully removed the shattered fragments of his C5 vertebra before transferring him to a Toronto hospital for continued treatment.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Beau is already showing signs of improvement. At first, he could not feel or move his arms. Now, he can lift them, wiggle some fingers, and feel slight movement in his toes when others touch them. His family says these early improvements give them strong hope.
Doctors expect the first six months to be the most crucial for neurological recovery, with the greatest gains typically happening during this period. From the acute care hospital, Beau is expected to enter rehabilitation at the renowned Lyndhurst Centre in Toronto, a leading spinal cord and neural recovery facility.
Family Support and Community Fundraising
Beau’s family has rallied around him during this overwhelming time. His sister Bianca created a GoFundMe campaign titled “Give back to Beau Ray Hayward”, with a goal of $75,000 to help cover ongoing medical and rehabilitation costs.
Within the first 48 hours, the fundraiser surpassed $19,000—an outpouring of support that deeply moved the family.
Bianca set the ambitious goal to reflect the challenging milestones her brother now faces:
“I set a goal. I am going to achieve it. Now he needs to set goals every day, every week, every month—and he’s going to know he can.”
Every donation, big or small, helps support Beau’s journey through recovery.
A Real Reminder: CPR Saves Lives
Beau’s story highlights how immediate CPR can mean the difference between life and death, especially in drowning emergencies. His friend’s recent training quite literally helped save his life.
If this incident shows anything, it’s the importance of being prepared.
Learning CPR gives ordinary people the confidence and ability to step in during an emergency—whether at home, on vacation, or out in the community.
You can learn these lifesaving skills too.
Explore CPR & AED training options here:
👉 https://firstaidcalgary.ca/cpr-courses/
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