Emma Menyer

Emma Menyer and a friend were travelling home after a long weekend vacation. Emma was resting in the back of the car when they were struck by a train.

“Luckily, I had my seatbelt on,” said Menyer. “My friend was screaming my name, and I’m trying to wake up to say what’s going on, but before I couldn’t even utter a word, it was ‘Bam!’”

Luckily, her friend had been able to escape the vehicle before the collision. A bystander stopped when they saw the wreckage.

“They just kind of dragged me to the side of the road and I was just lying there. They were trying to keep me awake, talking to me and telling me to stay awake, stay awake.

An ambulance took her to a local hospital, where worst fears were confirmed: the impact had fractured her neck.  The medical team was able to temporarily stabilize her and provide medication to control the pain, but she needed a trauma centre in the city. Due of the severity of her injuries and the risk of travelling by ground with a fractured neck, STARS was called.

“I remember the crew on the helicopter,” said Menyer. “They were just so lovely. I don’t remember the jokes, but somebody was being funny, and I remember laughing; I remember laying there, obviously scared for my life, but these people were doing everything they could to help me, to help me stay alive, to transport me to the next place that I needed. It’s good to have people like that, where even in times of great tragedy or trauma, they can still find ways to just put you at ease.”

Upon her arrival at the hospital, Menyer was stabilized and began her road to recovery, including multiple major surgeries. Despite ongoing challenges and some physical limitations, she’s been able to return to work and continues to volunteer in her community, including advocating for STARS and supporting new immigrants upon their arrival in Canada.

“I don’t know what else could have happened if they were not available, if STARS didn’t exist. What they do is just so amazing and wonderful, and the people that do it are so brave.”