A teenager who jumped into action, saving a man in a wheelchair who had slipped into the swollen Thames River, will be recognized by the Canadian Red Cross.

Evan Spindler’s name will be put forward for an award of appreciation from the Red Cross — an award that recognizes people who help those who are vulnerable.

“This is exactly what this teenager did. He saw someone in need and he was there when help was needed,” said Kelly Farrell, community service co-ordinator for the London-area branch of the Red Cross.

“Sometimes people just need to be recognized for their efforts.”

The award was created to thank people for doing the right thing, Farrell said.

Spindler, 15, saw 22-year-old Ainsley Chapman perched on a picnic table Tuesday, his wheelchair partly submerged in the Thames River around him.

Chapman, who has cerebral palsy, was feeding the geese and ducks near the Blackfriars Bridge when his wheelchair slid into the river. He managed to get out of his wheelchair and onto a picnic table but, surrounded by water, was stuck with no way out when Spindler ran toward him and pulled him to safety.

His actions had both police and fire officials praising him for his efforts.

All the attention has left the Grade 10 Banting secondary school student, who is training to be a lifeguard, a bit bewildered.

“I just thought if someone’s in trouble you might as well help them out,” Spindler has said. “I feel like I was doing what anyone else would have done.

“I’m surprised it’s getting this much attention.”

kelly.pedro@sunmedia.ca

twitter.com/KellyatLFPress